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5 things we learned on Saturday at The 2018 Masters

Published

7 years ago

on

If ever there was a moving day at The Masters, this was it! Paul Casey and marker Jeff Knox set the tone by moving around the course in 3.5 hours, in the day’s first pairing. With rain delays always on their minds, the field seemed to play with greater urgency, even when recovering from trouble. By day’s end, the leader was the same guy who led after 36, but the field had circled the wagons to ensure a Sunday to remember. Let’s assess the 5 things we learned on Saturday at the Masters.

1) Captain America might add green to his color palette

For a guy who has bled red, white and blue to rally the troops, on multiple occasions for Team USA, Patrick Reed has a shabby record in major events. On Sunday, he’ll have his finest opportunity to put that reputation away for all time. Reed made one (see below) then two (see above) eagles on Saturday afternoon to grab a three-stroke lead over Rory McIlroy, his Sunday playing partner. As if either needed additional motivation, the two faced off in one of the great mano a mano duels in Ryder Cup history, at Hazeltine in 2016. Let’s raise a glass to a reprise on Sunday at Augusta.

See the clubs Reed has in his bag this week

2) Rory McIlroy v.2018 is different from v.2011

We all remember v.2011, curly hair and boyish, nearly hitting a ball into one of the guest cabins left of the 10th fairway. This Rory, 7 years older, wiser, more mature, is ready to win, to complete the grand slam. He’s even a bit luckier, but the luck of the Northern Irish can only impact one shot per hole (see below)! The OW Rory recovers from trees, pine straw, azaleas, you name it. On Sunday, he’ll need to blend patience and urgency to perfection, to finally capture the event so many predicted for him, so much earlier in his career.

3) Can El Vasco control his emotions one day more?

If there is a Rory v.2011 in 2K18, his name is Jon Rahm and he is the greatest Basque hope since Chema, Jose Maria Olazabal. Rahm would love to join JM as an Augusta champion. Saturday saw Rahm birdie his first two holes, eagle the 8th, then add three more chirps on the back nine for a bogey-free 65 (Fowler and McIlroy also posted that number.) If Rahm can play another round without blemish on Sunday, it will be hard to keep the green jacket off his broad shoulders. Zorte On!

4) Is it Finally Fowler?

In 2014, Fowler finished in the top five of all four major tournaments, winning none of them. He tied for 5th at last year’s U.S. Open and PGA Championships. It’s safe to say that Dick Fowler, P.I. is about done with coming close. He has a Players Championship and would love to set the menu for next year’s champions’ dinner. If you’ve not paid attention, Fowler may exhibit the greatest combination of putting confidence and putting skill on tour. This pairing will serve him well in round 4. Will Rickie show up in all-orange as usual on Sunday, repping his OK State Cowboys? Would he serve chicken, rice and broccoli at next year’s dinner? Who knows? Fowler is due, and his 1-eagle-5-birdie-0-bogey (sound familiar) performance on Saturday might be the catalyst for his first major title as a professional.

5) Only one guy in the elite eight has a green jacket

We know that Henrik Stenson (5th place at -7) has an Open Championship on his resume, but only the left-hander at 6-under (T6) of the top 8 has a green jacket. Let’s say that Bubba Watson goes out and shoots 64 tomorrow, to get to 14-under par. Will it be enough? Doubtful. Too many great golfers, and one of them has to reach 15-under by day’s end…right? OK, let’s try this prediction: either Bubba Watson wins his third Masters OR we have a first-time winner. Yup, we’ll bet the house on that one.

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Ronald Montesano writes for GolfWRX.com from western New York. He dabbles in coaching golf and teaching Spanish, in addition to scribbling columns on all aspects of golf, from apparel to architecture, from equipment to travel. Follow Ronald on Twitter at @buffalogolfer.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. Bob Parson Jr.

    Apr 8, 2018 at 11:36 am

    I already provided you with evidence on your prior article. Be a NY snowflake and block me if you wish. If you can handle the truth, then perhaps I’m better off not reading your bias junk.

    Can’t help you if you are not willing to have an honest discussion.

    Reply Report comment

  2. Caroline

    Apr 8, 2018 at 1:39 am

    Great Masters, a handful of hopefuls tomorrow…still the saddest part of the week is that John Daly in the parking lot of Hooters pitching his wears…there is a man that should have won the Masters 20 years ago but could not get out of his own way.

    Reply Report comment

    • Ronald Montesano

      Apr 8, 2018 at 5:38 am

      I watched Daly play the NCAA Championship as a freshman at Arkansas, in 1986 at Bermuda Run CC in Advance, NC. Silly long, unbelievable talent. He was a joy to watch, but we suffered with him along the way. He seems happy, doing what he does: plays Champions Tour, hangs out, sells stuff. Godspeed.

      Reply Report comment

  3. AndyK

    Apr 7, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    I’ll be surprised if Rory doesn’t win.

    Reply Report comment

    • Ronald Montesano

      Apr 8, 2018 at 5:41 am

      I’ll be surprised by whoever wins!! There is no one that I would call the favorite: with the exception of Bubba (as mentioned above) none has any personal experience with winning at The Nursery. Rahm is the only, early-20s in the top 8, so all have calloused souls. I think it will go to a playoff.

      Reply Report comment

  4. Man

    Apr 7, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    What did we learn from this article?
    Nothing. It’s garbage. I thought it was going to something we didn’t know about some inside information or some history about Day 3 in comparison, but no, it’s just some garbage about some heresay and everything we already know or are thinking about.
    Sheesh

    Reply Report comment

    • Ronald Montesano

      Apr 8, 2018 at 5:43 am

      I know what I learned: no matter how well I THINK I’ve put something together, it’s not enough. I’ll keep trying, Man, and hopefully, we’ll win you over one day. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply Report comment

    • Bob Parson Jr.

      Apr 8, 2018 at 11:37 am

      Well said, that’s why you are the Man!

      Reply Report comment

  5. Bob Parson Jr.

    Apr 7, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Rory McIlroy is going to clean the gutters at the Butler Cabin with Patrick “The Cheat” Reed.

    Reply Report comment

    • Ronald Montesano

      Apr 8, 2018 at 5:46 am

      I don’t think that that word means what you think it does. You’ve associated Reed with cheating, but you’ve failed to offer up any support for the nickname. If people call me “the stick,” it suggests I’m a really good golfer, or very thin. Have you got anything, or do I have to block you?

      Reply Report comment

      • Bob Parson Jr.

        Apr 8, 2018 at 11:34 am

        I already provided you with evidence on your prior article. Be a NY snowflake and block me if you wish. If you can handle the truth, then perhaps I’m better of not reading your bias junk.

        Reply Report comment

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