Masters blog: Looking ahead to the final day
Here are some observations as we enter into the final day of the Masters:
1) Jordan Spieth -3
The kid continues to amaze me at his bounce-back ability. Yes, he made a horrific double bogey on the last hole and really had it going all over the golf course Saturday. On the first 6 shots he had a one-handed follow through, yet he ended up making a clutch putt after clutch putt. It would not surprise me at all if he starts out like a house on fire Sunday to spite his finish Saturday.
2) Smylie Kaufman -2
He shot 69 in those conditions, which is going to win him a nice crystal goblet for his parents' house. Did anyone else catch his interview after the round? He drives a 2008 Nissan Morano, and still lives with his parents. I thought that was a very refreshing interview and it made me laugh, but do not be fooled by the awe-shucks southern boy; this kid shot 61 the last round in Vegas to win his first PGA tour title. He has a tall task in front of him to hang with Rory, but he is trying to become the first guy to win in his first appearance since Fuzzy in 1979. He also reminds me a little of Lucas Glover -- tall, same build, southern.
T3) Bernhard Langer -1
Dad and I were paired with him in the final round last December in The Father Son Challenge and he is the nicest guy on the planet.
T3) Hideki Matsuyama -1
He really had it going there for a while before the putter let him down late in his round. He 3-putted 15 for a par, 3-putted 16 for a bogey and hit a great bump and run pitch on 17 to about 5 feet before missing that putt. He is still primed to strike to become the first Asian-born player to win the green jacket.
T5) Jason Day E
Watch out for this guy today. If that putter stays hot he could very easily get this done. Remember, he is not No. 1 in the world by accident.
T5) Dustin Johnson E
Is it finally his time? He survived the really windy days very well, and for a tall player it can be tough. Now you have perfect weather today, he is in very good form, and he is just far enough back where there is not a lot of pressure. Look out.
T5) Danny Willett E
I just love this guy's golf swing. It is so money and he is regarded as one of the better ball strikers on tour. I raved about this kid's short game last year, and even though it was not the sexiest shot, the pitch he hit from the back of 17 caught my eye as he took a full swing, slipped the club underneath and hit a low spinner about five feet before converting the par save. Not saying that it is going to happen today, but he has won twice this year in Europe already and is bubbling with confidence.
T8) Lee Westwood +1
The only time they showed him all week is when he shook hands with Tom Watson on Friday after the round as they were paired together. Kind of reminds me of 2011 when Charl Scwartzel won with four consecutive birdies and you never saw him on TV until it started to happen. Westwood and Sergio have always been labeled the best players on tour to never have won a major.
T8) Brandt Snedeker +1
You forget he has won 11 times on tour, so that is called 'getting it done.' In eight of those victories he has come from behind. He is very good at stalking the pace and then kicking strong to finish.
T8) Soren Kjeldsen +1
His putting really impressed me Saturday. I love the way he swings the putter back and forth, and he made a lot of clutch putts out there to stay relevant.
PHOTOS FROM THE MASTERS:
By: Raymond Floyd Jr.
