Patrick Reed of the U.S. looks down the fairway before making his second shot on the first hole during third round play of the 2018 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, U.S. April 7, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Segar
April 7, 2018
By Frank Pingue
AUGUSTA, Ga. (Reuters) – Tiger Woods failed to mount any sort of charge at a wet Augusta National on Saturday while overnight leader Patrick Reed made a steady start to his third round at the U.S. Masters.
Woods, who began the round 13 shots back of Reed, was among the early starters and opened with two consecutive bogeys en route to an even-par 72 that ended any slim hopes he may have had of slipping into a Green Jacket on Sunday.
The former world number one came into the week as one of the favorites after showing solid form this year in his comeback from injury but failed to conjure up any of the old magic he once seemed to produce on command at Augusta National.
Reed, a five-times PGA Tour winner still searching for his maiden major triumph, set off in the final group with a two-shot lead over playing competitor Marc Leishman of Australia.
The 27-year-old American opened with a par to remain at nine under for the week.
Swede Henrik Stenson remained four shots back after an opening par while twice winner Bubba Watson carded two early birdies to join a group of six golfers a further shot adrift.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who needs a win this week to complete the career grand slam, was among the pack five shots back along with world number four Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson.
Three-times winner Phil Mickelson was also unable to gain any ground as he followed an opening triple-bogey with a bogey at the second en route to a disappointing two-over par 74 that left him at seven over on the week.
With wet weather expected throughout most of the day, the scoring conditions at the year’s first major could ease up as the rain should soften the notoriously fast Augusta National greens.
Early in the round the scoring average was more than three shots better than on Friday.
(Editing by Clare Fallon and Pritha Sarkar)
