The Masters 2023 LIVE: Leaderboard and scores as play suspended during third round

LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka extended his Masters lead to four shots over Spaniard Jon Rahm before third-round play at windy and cold Augusta National Golf Club was suspended for the day due to intense rain that waterlogged the course.

Koepka, who began the day two shots clear of Rahm with amateur Sam Bennett a further two strokes back, had one birdie through six holes and was staring at an 11-foot par putt at the seventh when play was suspended at 3:15 p.m. ET (1915 GMT) with no players having completed their rounds.It marked the second consecutive day that rain interrupted play at the year’s first major as 39 golfers returned early on Saturday to complete their second round.

“Yeah, it’s obviously super difficult,” said Koepka. “Ball’s not going anywhere. You’ve got rain to deal with, and it’s freezing cold. It doesn’t make it easy.”

Players went out in threesomes off split tees with hopes of completing the entire third round despite the forecast of heavy rain and wind that picked up shortly after the final group headed out with temperatures around 48 Fahrenheit (8 Celsius). Koepka and Rahm birdied the par-five second hole just as the rain intensified while Bennett made a second consecutive bogey to drop off the pace as the year’s first major quickly turned into a two-horse race. Four-times major winner Koepka moved three clear at the par-three fourth where he got up and down from the left greenside bunker while world number three Rahm made bogey after chipping over the green from the other bunker. Rahm, who had to finish nine holes of his second round in the rain early on Saturday, fell four shots back after a three-putt bogey from 88 feet at the par-four fifth and was looking at a nine-foot birdie putt at the seventh when play was stopped.

“When we walked up to the seventh green it was clear to us that that green had been wet for a while. They had been squeegeeing it for a while,” said Rahm. “I understand they’re trying to push us to play as many holes as possible, but it was very apparent when they tried to get the water out that it just wasn’t going to happen in our case.” Relive the third round and Saturday’s action below:

The Masters 2023

• Day Three of The Masters 2023 suspended due to waterlogged course

• Woods makes the cut to equal Masters record but struggled in round three - +9 (7*)

• -13: Koepka. -9: Rahm. 6: Bennett (a) -6: Fitzpatrick, Morikawa, Hovland, Cantlay.

• Record prize money with winner set to make $3.24 million (£2.6 million)

• Masters TV debacle leaves fans disgruntled - has tradition gone too far?

Masters suspended after heavy rain with Brooks Koepka leading the way at Augusta

21:14 , Ben Fleming

Brooks Koepka strengthened his grip on the 87th Masters before unrelenting rain at Augusta National forced play to be suspended for the day.

Koepka took a two-shot lead into the delayed third round and had doubled his advantage over Jon Rahm in the space of just five holes as greenkeeping staff battled to remove standing water from a number of greens.

The final group had reached the seventh green by the time play was called off at 3.15pm local time, with Koepka on 13 under par and Rahm nine under.

Masters suspended after heavy rain with Brooks Koepka leading the way at Augusta

Masters TV debacle leaves fans disgruntled - has tradition gone too far?

23:51 , Jack Rathborn

The course siren that echoed around a soggy Augusta National on Saturday evening signalled the end of play for the day. It also concluded a sorry episode for golf fans trapped by an antiquated tradition behind the Masters and its television coverage.

Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, alongside amateur sensation Sam Bennett, ensured a captivating final group for viewers after the third round groups were hastily pushed out following the unrelenting downpour. It was due to provide both magnificent golf alongside the theatre of LIV Golf vs PGA Tour, which has consumed golf for more than a year. The final players began their round shortly after 6pm BST, but fans were denied a conventional way to watch until after 8pm BST.

Many imagined scenarios such as Wimbledon denying fans a chance to watch one of its finals until several games into the first set. A sheepish Nick Dougherty pleaded for patience during the excellent Sky Sports coverage in the UK, desperately trying to fill time, even if some coverage was available via the red button.

Masters TV debacle leaves fans disgruntled - has tradition gone too far?

Looking ahead to tomorrow

21:00 , Ben Fleming

So, plenty of golf still to come if not tonight. Augusta have been adamant all week that they will avoid a Monday finish so that means 30 holes of golf for Koepka and Rahm. That almost certainly will mean the continuation of three-ball pairings and perhaps even split-tee times, we shall see.

But leave no doubt, Brooks is in a commanding position. Amidst the rain and cold, he barely blinked and was still under par for the round when the suspension was called. Rahm didn’t look at his best - maybe some of that was fatigue having had an early start this morning - and a break will surely do him good.

He’ll need to improve and maybe even that won’t be enough if Koepka holds it together. But if there is one man who could do it - it would be Jon Rahm.

Elsewhere on the leaderboard

20:52 , Ben Fleming

A few other players made it further than the sixth. Two very solid starts from Patrick Cantlay and Matt Fitzpatrick who now sit tied for fourth. They were both three under for the round when play was suspended.

Amateur Sam Bennett had a wobbly start but still sits at six under par and in the solo third position.

And a word for Woods...oh Tiger. I’m not sure any part of his body needed to be out there this afternoon in those conditions and it showed. Back-to-back double bogeys left him at nine over par when play was called.

Round three recap

20:48 , Ben Fleming

We didn’t get much of it but if you’re just catching up, play has been suspended for the day. The final group headlined by Brooks Koeopka and Jon Rahm only made it to the 7th green but in that time, Koepka’s lead doubled from two to four.

Six pars and one birdie at the par-five second for the leader but two back-to-back birdies from Rahm at four and five which were costly.

Leaderboard

20:35 , Ben Fleming

Plenty of people dropped down the leaderboard in those tough conditions. Here are the scores prior to the day’s suspension.

-13 Brooks Kopeka

-9 John Rahm

-6 Sam Bennett (a)

-5 Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Patrick Cantlay

-4 Justin Rose, Rusell Henley, Phil Mickelson, Cam Young, Jason Day

Play suspended

20:27 , Ben Fleming

They did well to get as many holes in as they could before the suspension but it felt inevitable for a while. There’s still some rain forecast for tomorrow but nowhere near as severe and there still appears plenty of optimism that a Monday finish will be avoided.

Play suspended until Sunday

20:20 , Ben Fleming

It’s not a temporary delay, that’s it for the day - no more play until Sunday.

Play suspended

20:17 , Ben Fleming

And too wet now...the hooters sound as play is suspended due to a waterlogged course. It’s easy to see why as the cameras pan to the seventh where pools of rain are collecting all over the course.

So very wet

20:10 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (6), Rahm -9 (6), Bennett (a) -6 (6)

The squeegees are out on the 7th green and there’s a little wait for the last group. Difficult to overstate just how grim it looks out there. In that context, Brooks’ one under round through six looks even more impressive.

Getting even uglier for Woods

20:08 , Ben Fleming

Woods +9 (7*) * Indicates 10th Tee Start

Double bogey at 15 is followed up by a double bogey at 16 as Woods’ tee shot flies into the water and not even close to the green.

He’s now at nine over par and limping more than ever - it’s a tough sight to witness and surely one that’s doing no good to his already-frail body.

Back-to-back bogeys for Morikawa

20:00 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -5 (7), Viktor Hovland -5 (7), Jason Day -4 (7)

Morikawa ends up in the bunker after his second and despite a good wedge from the sand, he can’t make the par save and he drops his second shot in as many holes. Hovland and Day make par to remain at five and four under.

Getting ugly for Woods

19:58 , Ben Fleming

Woods +7 (6*) * Indicates 10th Tee Start

From bad to worse for Woods after his bogey in 14th as his third into the par-five 15th rolls back into the water. He takes a drop but makes a double-bogey seven - he’s now dead last on seven over.

Double bogey for Young

19:55 , Ben Fleming

Burns -3 (7), Spieth -2 (7), Young -3 (7)

Well, there is some movement for Young now...just not the one he would have wanted. He makes an absolute mess of the hole driving way off line off the tee. He then finds himself beyond the green after three and two putts once on the green for a double-bogey six. Back to three under and that’s a serious blow to his chances.

Burns ends up in the bunker after his second and can’t get up and down - it’s a bogey for him. Spieth makes par.

Water on 12 for Smith

19:51 , Ben Fleming

Smith E (12)

He found the water on the fourth round last year when he was chasing Scottie Scheffler and he does it again today. The club appears to slip out of his hand and it’s a drop required for the Aussie. He misses a long-range bogey effort and makes a double to slip back to level par.

Much-needed par for Rahm

19:47 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (6), Rahm -9 (6), Bennett (a) -6 (6)

Never mind Koepka and Rahm, Bennett steals the applause with a stellar tee shot into the sixth. he runs his birdie chance by, however, and settles for par.

Rahm’s tee shot goes long and the moisture prevents it from funnelling down to the hole. He two putts for par, as does Brooks, and the lead remains at four.

No movement for Young

19:45 , Ben Fleming

Burns -4 (6), Spieth -2 (6), Young -5 (6)

Cam Young was someone many had picked out as someone who could thrive in these wet conditions with the ball not carrying so far. Not much action from him so far as his birdie effort on six falls short - four pars in a row for him. Spieth and Burns follow suit and the trio make par

Morikawa makes bogey

19:41 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -6 (6), Viktor Hovland -5 (6), Jason Day -4 (6)

Just as quickly as he was in solo third, Morikawa gifts one back with a poor tee shot into the par-three sixth. His chip from the right rough leaves him with plenty to do and he can’t make the par putt. Back to six under for him.

Hovland and Day make par.

Back-to-back bogeys for Rahm

19:35 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (5), Rahm -9 (5), Bennett (a) -6 (5)

I was hoping this would develop into a two-horse race but Rahm is threatening to make this a procession. He leaves himself work to do for his par and it drifts by on the right side...another bogey.

Koepka was in trouble off the tee but he’s been indomitable up to this point and even that doesn’t shake him. Another par when he needs it and he leads by four. Bennett also knocks it in for par.

Bogeys for Woods, Mickelson, Rose

19:30 , Ben Fleming

Woods +5 (5*), Mickelson -5 (7), Rose -4 (7)

Woods’ body must be in taters and I’m sure he’s loving this weather - a bogey at 14 and he drops another shot.

Mickelson and Rose had moved up the leaderboard earlier on but they both give a shot back to the course as well.

Missed chance for Morikawa, bogeys for Hovland and Day

19:21 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -7 (5), Viktor Hovland -5 (5), Jason Day -4 (5)

Morikawa is one of the world’s best from the fairway and he’s really showcasing why right now - it’s a beauty into the fifth but he can’t take advantage and makes a par.

The same can’t be said for Hovland and Day who miss par putts from a very similar location - Viktor drags it left and Jason pushes it right. A bogey each for the pair and they’re drifting in the wrong direction.

Koepka’s lead grows to three

19:14 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (4), Rahm -10 (4), Bennett (a) -6 (4)

Rahm gets himself in a spot of bother off the tee and he’s got a tough chip shot. He tries to run it up the bank and have it feed down to the hole but he gets it horribly wrong and it flies over the back. He does well to get up and down from there but it’s a bogey.

Koepka makes no trouble from the sand and he makes par but his lead grows to three. Bennett also makes par to calm his nerves.

Tiger watch

19:11 , Ben Fleming

Woods +4 (4*) * Indicates 10th Tee Start

Not much to report from Tiger’s round so far after the early bogey. A missed birdie putt at the par-five 13th means it’s three pars in a row.

Back-to-back birdies for Fitzpatrick

19:10 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick -5 (8)

He takes care of the par-five eight after a lovely chip in close. He knocks it in for another birdie and he’s now in a tie for seventh.

Double bogey for Spieth

19:08 , Ben Fleming

Burns -4 (5), Spieth -2 (5), Young -5 (5)

Spieth has plenty of imagination but he needs all of it after his wayward drive on the fifth. He hacks out but makes a further hash of the hole and it’s a very disappointing double-bogey six for Jordan.

Burns and Young make par and remain at four and five under respectively.

Watch out for Phil

19:05 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -6 (6)

My oh my this is quite something from Phil. Never mind Woods or Couples, Phil is the ageing legend making waves right now. It’s a fairly standard tee shot but he pours one in from just under 40 feet. Six under and into fourth place - remarkable!

Solo third for Morikawa

19:01 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -7 (4), Viktor Hovland -6 (3), Jason Day -5 (3)

It’s a divine tee shot into the fourth from Morikawa and he makes a birdie to move into third place on his own. Hovland makes a par but it’s a dropped shot for Day to move back to five under.

So close for Koepka

18:59 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (2), Rahm -11 (2), Bennett (a) -6 (2)

Third is a tough old green to get at and Rahm’s effort showcases that. It doesn’t quite grip as much as he needs and the Spaniard settles for par. Koepka gives himself a better look and...oh my... that is millimetres away! It just doesn’t drop in and misses on the low side and he too makes par.

Bennett was in trouble off the tee and ended up in the bunker but that’s a fine up and down to save par and hopefully, that will settle some nerves.

The cameras pan to the skies and it’s very dark out there. The rain is coming down now - let’s hope it stays light.

Early rise for Fitzpatrick

18:53 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick -4 (7)

The US Open champion has been very steady over the last two and a bit days and he is starting to look back to his best after a poor start to the season by his standards. A birdie on two and now at seven and he sits in a tie for 11th.

Hovland bounes back

18:47 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -6 (3), Viktor Hovland -6 (3), Jason Day -6 (2)

Having just criticised him for his chipping prowess, Viktor makes me look rather silly with a lovely flighted effort onto the tough third green. He makes birdie to move back to six under - Day and Morikawa make par.

Rahm and Koepka make birdie

18:42 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -13 (2), Rahm -11 (2), Bennett (a) -6 (2)

Rahm with a sparkling long iron into the par-five second and he has just under 25 feet for eagle. His putt runs out of steam but that’s a birdie to move to 11 under par

Koepka’s second goes into the bunker but it’s a good recovery from the sand to give him a chance of birdie...which he takes. Nerveless stuff from the leader.

Bennett has started very poorly as his drive goes out of bounds. He can’t recover well enough and he has to settle for a second successive bogey.

Double bogey for Burns

18:37 , Ben Fleming

Burns -4 (3), Spieth -4 (3), Young -5 (3)

Burns goes way, way right off the tee and has to take a drop out of the pine. He tries to hack it out and it deflects off a branch and goes further into the patrons. In the end, it’s a costly double bogey for Burns. Spieth and Young miss chances at birdie and have to settle for par.

Rain changing the game

18:33 , Ben Fleming

It’s not raining out there right now but it sure did have an affect things earlier today as the second round was being finished. Rahm’s driving distance dropped 19 yards between the two rounds while Woods’ distance off the tee dropped a mighty 61 yards!

Early birdie for Day

18:30 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -6 (2), Viktor Hovland -5 (2), Jason Day -6 (2)

Jason Day has clearly put to bed his demons from the end of the second round yesterday. He pours one in for birdie and moves to six under. Viktor Hovland has really struggled since the first round with the putter and that continues as his birdie chances goes missing. Morikawa went in the bunker off the tee and has to settle for par.

Into the top 10 for Mickelson

18:26 , Ben Fleming

Mickelson -5 (3)

Hands up who would have predicted Phil Mickelson inside the top ten at this stage? Not me...but he rolls in a birdie at the third and he’s into a tie for 7th at five under.

Woods bogeys 10th

18:25 , Ben Fleming

Woods +4 (1*) * Indicates 10th Tee Start

Up ahead on the back nine and Woods hasn't made the best of starts. His second shot falls off the front of the green and he’s unable to get up and down to save par. An early bogey for him.

18:23 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -12, Rahm -10, Bennett (a) -7

All three fail to find the green in regulation. Koepka and Rahm end up short of the green and give themselves chances of par. Bennett finds himself in the bunker and he’s not got a lot of green to work with.

It’s not his finest wedge out of the sand and he’s got a long par save....which he can’t make - an early bogey for the amateur.

Koepka makes his short par putt and so does Rahm.

Bogey for Young

18:18 , Ben Fleming

Burns -6 (2), Spieth -4 (2), Young -5 (2)

Cam Young made a nice start with birdie but he’s found the hazard with his tee shot on the second. He gives himself a look at a par save but can’t make it - he’ll drop back to five under.

Spieth leaves his birdie putt short and makes par while Burns makes no mistake and moves to six under with a birdie.

Missed chance for Morikawa, Hovland bogey

18:13 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -6 (1), Viktor Hovland -5 (1), Jason Day -5 (1)

The penultimate group are underway and Morikaway lights up the action early on with a dart of an iron into the first green but he can’t make the most of it and makes par. Day follows suit but it’s an early dropped shot for Hovland with another poor chip - for a man of his quality it sure is remarkable how often that part of his game lets him down.

Woods is off

18:11 , Ben Fleming

Woods +3

He’s starting on the tenth but Tiger is underway. It will be interesting to see how his body holds up over the next 18 but he’ll keep plugging away regardless.

Strap in folks

18:10 , Ben Fleming

Koepka (-12), Rahm (-10), Bennett (a) (-8)

It’s time for the main event as the final group approaches the tee box. Kopekpa is up the right first before Rahm’s goes well right and crashes off a tree - a lucky break for the Spaniard as it bounces back towards the rough.

The amateur Bennett gets underway - it’s a nervy swing and he joins Rahm in the right rough.

Bogey trouble for Scott

18:01 , Ben Fleming

Scott E (6), Smith -2 (6)

He’s a Masters champion here in years gone by but it’s not the greatest start by the Australian. He follows up a birdie on five with a wayward tee shot on six and it’s another bogey to drop him back to even par. Cam Smith makes par and he remains at two under.

Another birdie for Rose

17:59 , Ben Fleming

Rose -6 (2)

Rosey making a cracking start with his second birdie in as many holes. It's a great fairway wood into the green and he settles for birdie after his eagle effort runs up short. Up to six under now for him.

Chip-in birdie for Young

17:58 , Ben Fleming

Burns -5 (1), Spieth -4 (1), Young -6 (1)

He’s in trouble off the tee but what a recovery from Young! His second ends up behind the green but it’s a beautiful chip and run to this front pin and it just hangs on to the left edge - great start from him and up to six under.

Burns and Spieth don’t judge their chips as well and leave themselves with lengthy par saves. Spieth misses his effort and it’s an early bogey for him but Burns saves his par.

One to forget for Hideki

17:47 , Ben Fleming

Matsuyama E (3)

The 2021 Masters champion will want those sets of putts back. He’s on the par-five second after three but he races his first putt past. It only gets worse from there and he misses his next two before tapping in for a double-bogey seven. Not the start he had in mind.

It’s showtime

17:45 , Ben Fleming

Burns -5, Spieth -5, Young -5

Some of the contenders are getting underway now. Burns find the fairway with his drives but Spieth’s sneaks off to the left while Young’s heads well right.

Back-to-back birdies for Schauffele

17:42 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -4 (3)

Xander had a poor second round but he’s kicked off his third round very nicely. He makes the most of the par-five second and a delightful chip leaves him a tap-in birdie to move to four under.

Early birdie for Rose, Lowry makes bogey

17:41 , Ben Fleming

Rose -5 (1), Lowry -3 (1)

The two sides of the coin for Rose and Lowry on the first. The Englishman pours in a birdie effort from over 20 feet on the first to make a birdie. Lowry, meanwhile, sees his par effort cruelly circumnavigate the hole and lip out. He makes bogey and drops back to three under.

Three in a row for Cantlay

17:34 , Ben Fleming

Cantlay -5 (4)

The weather is expected to get worse as the day goes on and Patrick Cantlay is wasting no time. He hits a lovely iron into the fourth and rolls in his third birdie in just four holes. Very nicely done.

Some love for Lowry

17:32 , Ben Fleming

Justin Rose (-4), Russell Henley (-4), Shane Lowry (-4)

It’s worth noting he’s a long way back but Lowry is always someone who is mentioned when the conditions get tough. It would take quite some tumble from the leaders but he will be someone looking to capitalise if that is the case.

Justin Rose has had a resurgent year, winning on the PGA Tour for the first time in four years at Pebble Beach and has always played well around Augusta. The Englishman also sits at four under as does American Russell Henley who shot a stellar five under 67 in round two.

Out on the course

17:22 , Ben Fleming

Johnson +3 (3*), Cantlay -4 (2) * Indicates 10th Tee Start

There are a few on the course early with some mixed starts. Dustin Johnson fires out of bounds on the 11th tee and leaves that hole with a triple bogey.

Patrick Cantlay, meanwhile, hits a lovely chip into the par-four third and makes back-to-back birdies after one on the second. He’s up to -4 and a tie for tenth.

Dark horses

17:16 , Ben Fleming

5:42 pm - Sam Burns (-5), Jordan Spieth (-5), Cameron Young (-5)

There is plenty to like about this group. There all six back of the lead but if the course plays difficult all three of them have the ball-striking ability to tough it out in bad conditions.

Jordan Spieth loves it here and his imagination with his ball striking could be a real asset especially if the wind picks up.

We saw this morning that the ball wasn’t travelling so far but Cam Young hits the ball miles anyway - that could definitely give him an advantage.

And don’t discount WGC Matchplay champion Sam Burns, he’s a very handy player to put it lightly.

Leaderboard latest

17:07 , Ben Fleming

There are a few early starters already playing their third round but here’s how the top of the leaderboard looks:

-12: Brooks Koepka

-10: Jon Rahm

-8: Sam Bennett (a)

-6: Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland

-5: Jason Day, Sam Burns, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young

The chasing pack

16:50 , Ben Fleming

5:54 pm - Collin Morikawa (-6), Viktor Hovland (-6), Jason Day (-5)

Koepka is sitting pretty at 12 under but it may take the American some time to adapt to the new conditions that are presented to him on this soaked Augusta course.

In the penultimate pairing off the first tee, Morikawa, Hovaland and Day will be looking to apply some pressure on the leader. Morikawa has quietly gone about his business and has the superb iron play that way well be suited to a wet golf course. Hovland faded a bit after a bright first round but he still remains in the thick of it.

Day is one back at -5 but at one point was nine under before a collapse late on in his second round. The Australian has had a revival of sorts in the past 12 months and will undoubtedly be one to keep an eye on if he can get his putter going.

Stellar final grouping

16:37 , Ben Fleming

6:06 pm - Brooks Koepka (-12), Jon Rahm (-10), Sam Bennett (a) (-8)

Can it be 6:06 already? We’ve got a treat of a final three-ball with Koepka, Rahm and Bennett. Koepka has looked ominous over the last two days but he is going to go out onto a completely different course this afternoon. Rahm did superbly to manage the morning conditions and finish off his second round - he sits just two off the lead.

And a word for the young amateur. He was unfazed by playing 36 holes alongside defending champion Scottie Scheffler and now he has 18 holes in the final group alongside one Koepka and Rahm - can he handle that pressure? Only time will tell...

Tee times in full

16:29 , Ben Fleming

Here are the tee times in full - the first groups head off very shortly.

Masters Round 3 tee times: Saturday’s pairings and schedule

Tiger Woods tees off on the 10th after 6pm

16:23 , Ben Fleming

6:06 pm: Thomas Pieters, Tiger Woods, Sungjae Im

Woods will head off the 10th but has been given the latest tee time. You have to imagine that was deliberate given his body condition - he’ll probably need plenty of time to recover before heading back out there for another 18 holes in those conditions.

He’ll tee it up with Sungjae Im and Thomas Pieters.

Round three start times

16:19 , Ben Fleming

We didn’t have to wait long - the tee times are out. As suspected three-balls and a two-tee system. The first groups get underway in just under 15 minutes but here are some of the final groupings:

5:18 pm - Justin Rose, Russell Henley, Shane Lowry

5:30 pm - Gary Woodland, Phil Mickelson, Joaquin Niemann

5:42 pm - Sam Burns, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young

5:54 pm - Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland, Jason Day

6:06 pm - Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Sam Bennett (a)

Tough break for the late round two starters

16:14 , Ben Fleming

We all knew it was going to be hard for those in the afternoon wave on Friday and it sure turned out that way. The rain this morning made the course significantly harder and they suffered as a result. It also puts into perspective how good that round from Jon Rahm was.

Pin positions for round three

16:06 , Ben Fleming

What we do know, however, is the pin positions for the third round. 13 and 18 stick out immediately as some toughies but the greens certainly should be a lot softer which will help somewhat.

Third round coming up

16:03 , Ben Fleming

The rain continues to come down but the action will continue to press on. There’s no word of pairings at present so we don’t know if it will be two-balls or three-balls but it has been confirmed that it will be split tees meaning players will start on the 10th and the 1st.

Jon Rahm reflects on excellent start to Masters

15:57 , Jack Rathborn

“I did a good job to maintain the score I had, to come out and make a two-putt, great par save on 11,” said Rahm.

“It’s not playing easy whatsoever out there. I’m excited, I’ve never gone into the weekend this close to the lead at a major. Let’s keep it going.”

Sungjae Im makes par to avoid missing Masters cut on 18th hole

15:52 , Jack Rathborn

Cam Smith makes bogey on 18 and he’ll slip back to -2.

To finish off the second round, here’s Im for par and to make the cut.

Makes it! Some putt from the Korean, he finishes round 2 at +3.

So Tiger and Im made it, JT didn’t. There was some real drama around the cut to finish up the delayed second round.

Jon Rahm two behind Brooks Koepka after finishing second round at Masters

15:37 , Jack Rathborn

Jon Rahm tidies up, a round of 69. He’s -10 and two behind Brooks Koepka at -12.

He’ll take that. Rahm has had bad luck and the complete wrong side of the draw really, so to just be two back is almost a compliment and suggests he may even have played the best golf so far.

Matsuyama, Smith and Im the final group out on the course.

Justin Thomas misses cut at the Masters after rotten round of 78

15:34 , Jack Rathborn

Justin Thomas on 18, for par, to make the cut at the Masters.

It falls short and right, a bogey-bogey finish and a round of 78, he’s at +4 and that’s his tournament over. Staggering.

Jon Rahm in trouble on 18 with Tiger Woods poised to make Masters cut

15:31 , Jack Rathborn

Justin Thomas left with about 8-10 feet for par and to get in at +3 and make the cut. Immense pressure on this putt coming up.

Cam Smith on 18 now and ready to get in at -3 or better. The Open champion hangs one way out left, similar to Tiger a half hour earlier. He hates it.

Rahm, meanwhile, chips from the front of the 18th green, it’s pitched up nicely and can’t get to the ridge, it races all the way back down. A nightmare.

A huge putt just to make par now.

Im is on the fairway, but he’s far back and out to the right, does he have the power to muscle a left-to-right approach onto the green? Probably not. He, too, looks to just make par and the cut at +3. It’s suddenly not really about Tiger anymore, he should be safe.

Jon Rahm closing in on round of 68 to sit one off half-way Masters lead

15:25 , Jack Rathborn

Jon Rahm has 211, uphill, but he can’t make the green either. It’s cold and wet out there, the players are struggling to cut Augusta down to size.

Im for par on 17: It slides on past the hole, the Korean moves to +3.

Tiger Woods’ hopes of making Masters cut improve

15:23 , Jack Rathborn

Im’s third shot on 17 leaves him 10 feet for par. He could go to +3 too shortly and then Tiger can really breathe easily in his hope to make the cut.

JT from 217 to reach the green on 18, he’s out left and requires a chip and putt to make par and stay at +3.

The 2021 champion Matsuyama is at -4, certainly not out of this at the other end of the leaderboard.

Tiger Woods given boost after Justin Thomas bogey

15:13 , Jack Rathborn

Justin Thomas for par... NO!

Tiger Woods breathes easy, that’s a bogey for JT and he’ll slip to +3 - so does the cut line.

JT has to make par to stick around. A birdie would still knock out Woods, but the conditions are so tough.

Rahm makes birdie and he’s back to -11, one behind Koepka, incredible.

The equation facing Tiger Woods to make the cut

15:02 , Jack Rathborn

Sungjae Im on 16 now and JT on 17.

One of them must fall back to +3 for Woods to make the cut.

Im’s approach on the par three is solid, it races back and he faces about 20 feet for birdie.

JT hooks a low one to the area behind the bunker on 17, Tiger fans will be hoping he fails to make it up and down.

Rahm recovers on 17 but that’s a tricky up and down with barely any green to work with. Aggressive from the Spaniard.

Tiger Woods hoping for help to make Masters cut

14:56 , Jack Rathborn

Here’s the equation: Tiger, Justin Thomas and Im are all +2.

If two of the three finish at +3, the cut line moves to +3.

Jon Rahm makes bogey on 16 to slip two behind Brooks Koepka

14:54 , Jack Rathborn

That’s a surprise! Rahm with a slight misread there.

The putt is struck well, but it doesn’t come back in time, a bogey and now back to -10.

Woods gives this monster par putt a go, it’s excellent, but leaves him a foot or so to make bogey and come back to +3.

Tiger Woods facing bogey on 18th in bid to make Masters cut

14:52 , Jack Rathborn

Tiger Woods is on 22 consecutive cuts made at the Masters.

Gary Player and Fred Couples have the record at 23, can Woods join them?

A third shot from 66 yards, and it zips back, that’s a huge putt for par.

So, +3 is likely the target and then it’s time to hope the cut drops back.

Tiger Woods recovers in bid to make Masters cut

14:49 , Jack Rathborn

Cam Smith with a gorgeous approach on 15, spins it back to kick-in distance. He’ll go to -3 soon enough.

Adam Scott toughing it out too, moves to 18 at -2 for the tournament.

Schauffele trying to get to -4 down the last, but screams fore, it’s way out left, some work to get in the clubhouse after two rounds at -3.

Tiger Woods aims for par on 18 to make Masters cut

14:43 , Jack Rathborn

Tiger Woods double-crossed the drive on 18 and he’s way out left and in the trees.

That’s a bad look!

Jon Rahm makes birdie and moves one off Masters lead

14:40 , Jack Rathborn

Rahm trickles that short birdie put down on 15... Makes it!

Rahm to -11 and just one behind Koepka now.

Woods with a bogey after going long with his pitch on 17 and two-putting, back to +2 and now the equation is fairly simple, par the last and he’ll make the final two rounds. Bogey? He’s not out of it, but it would make for a nervous wait.

Justin Thomas makes bogey and fighting to make Masters cut

14:39 , Jack Rathborn

Hovland misses a great-looking birdie opportunity on 17, the knees buckle in frustration as it skids past the edge of the hole. The Norwegian remains at -6.

Cam Young is still at -7.

But that’s a pull from JT on the green at 15, a bogey and he’s now +2 and in danger of missing the cut.

Shane Lowry finishes second round eight behind Brooks Koepka

14:30 , Jack Rathborn

Shane Lowry is done for round 2, it’s a 72 and he stays at -4, not bad for the Irishman, he’s in this.

Rahm on 15, will he go for this 265 yards... it’s a layup!

Ideal for the Spaniard, who can attack the pin with a wedge in search of a birdie.

Cam Young won’t play it safe, 243 yards, it’s way long. That’s a horrid looking up and down for birdie coming up.

Tiger did miss the pines and comes up just short on 17, not a disaster, up and down well within his capability to remain +1.

Jon Rahm in perfect position on 15 to close in on Brooks Koepka

14:23 , Jack Rathborn

Hovland cleans up for par on 16, still -6 and content enough in these horrid conditions.

Rahm booms one down 15, this is a big birdie chance, you’d expect him to get to -11 here.

A looping fade and he’s in the middle of the fairway, that’s the first job done on this par five.

Tiger on 17 and loses control of that tee shot, it’s way out right into the pines.

Jon Rahm with birdie chance to go one behind Brooks Koepka

14:15 , Jack Rathborn

Tiger (+1) on 16, on the dance floor, about 20 feet away, he'll take two from there if he can.

Thomas on 14: The approach is superb, using the contours and setting up a birdie chance.

The spin is causing the players problems, it’s tricky to adjust.

Now Rahm, high left-to-right shot, similar to JT but a little better as it creeps back towards the pin. Birdie chance coming.

Justin Thomas provides update on Augusta course conditions after heavy rain

14:11 , Jack Rathborn

Justin Thomas on the course, walking with his umbrella, speaks live:

“Just a protein shake, I got a long day ahead of me, it’s easy not to drink water or eat food when it’s like this. 4:45am, I saw my physio, put on every layer I have and here we are.

“When it’s like this, past information out the window, the greens are softer, but they’re slower and skid a lot.

“You’ll see a lot of guys’ shots on 13, they’re laying up, it’s hard out here.”

Tiger Woods makes birdie to ease pressure in bid to make Masters cut

14:05 , Jack Rathborn

Rahm with a massive par on 13, six feet or so, nerveless from the Spaniard, who will hope to get at least one back from his last five holes to halve the deficit to Koepka at -12.

Justin Thomas is badly struggling out there, a lot of people tipped JT to go well this week on a course that appears perfectly suited to his game. But he’s got plenty of work to do now.

Would you believe it!? Tiger with a bomb on 15, magnificent, the fist pump comes out but barely a flicker on his face. +1 and now with a little margin for error.

Tiger Woods suffers bad luck after hitting flag

14:01 , Jack Rathborn

Sensational from Woods on 15, but the spin is vicious and the ball races back and fortunately stops before flirting with the water.

The replay shows it brushed the flag coming down. Woods not daring to show much emotion, still dangerously placed on the cut line.

Jon Rahm closes in on Brooks Koepka as Justin Thomas struggles

13:48 , Jack Rathborn

Jon Rahm’s iron on 13 leaks out to the right, but the Spaniard (-10) is looking to close in on Koepka’s lead some more.

Hovland at -6 and getting back to the form he showed on Thursday, still very much in the hunt.

Justin Thomas is in trouble and one to watch, he's given three shots back to Augusta so far after resumption of play. At +1, he only has a little more room for error or the cut comes into play.

Tiger Woods makes steady start at the Masters

13:47 , Jack Rathborn

Tiger Woods still ticking over nicely, remains at +2 after a tidy eight-footer, now to 15. No more errors and Tiger plays all four rounds.

While Schauffele is making moves and gets to -3.

Cameron Young from the pines at 13, he likes it, but this is playing very long. He’ll have two from there to get to -8 and just four back.

Sam Bennett: Remember the name as amateur enjoys sensational Masters start

13:31 , Jack Rathborn

Texas A&M starlet Sam Bennett is enjoying a dream start to the Masters.

In the clubhouse at -8 after two rounds with many still to finish, Bennett can just relax, four shots behind Brooks Koepka.

The American is the second best amateur through 36 holes with amateur Ken Venturi nine under par at this stage in 1956.

Tiger Woods fighting to make the cut at the Masters

13:26 , Jack Rathborn

Tiger Woods is +2 through 12 holes in his second round at the Masters.

The cut line is at +2, meaning Woods has no margin for error.

Can he battle his way (deeper) into the weekend?

Well, it’s the ideal start on 13, a birdie try coming up from 20 feet after extracting some check on that pitch, lovely.

Fred Couples makes history at the Masters

13:20 , Karl Matchett

Fred Couples has finished his second round and ends on one over par - he makes the cut, and makes history too.

At age 63 and six months, he becomes the oldest-ever player to make the cut at the Masters.

The 1992 champion has made the cut a monstrous 31 times at Augusta.

Trees collapse near spectators at the Masters

13:14 , Karl Matchett

Reminder of yesterday’s dramatic end to play - thankfully nobody was hurt but it was certainly a close call for a few.

Tiger Woods makes great start to Saturday at the Masters

13:07 , Karl Matchett

What a way to get himself up and running!

Tiger lines up a fantastic approach as he resumes on the 12th hole to give himself a birdie putt chance.

Sandy Lyle, meanwhile, taps in his final shot to wrap up his Masters career.

The Masters 2023: Tiger Woods fights to make the cut

12:55 , Karl Matchett

All eyes will doubtless be on Tiger Woods as he ploughs through his final seven holes of his second round, to see if he makes the cut.

The golfing great is on +2 at present - right on the cut line - so there’s no margin for error.

Also fighting for half a round or so of consistency are the likes of Keith Mitchell and Zach Johnson, while Thomas Pieters is +3 through 13 and Patrick Cantlay is at par through ten holes.

Rory McIlroy and the Masters cut no one saw coming

12:49 , Karl Matchett

Something was wrong as Rory McIlroy’s right hand flew from his club, but the warning signs had been clear long before then. As his approach into the 11th tumbled down the bank and into the pond beside the green, McIlroy slumped at the realisation that another chance was slipping by at the Masters. But, unlike 12 months ago, there is no hope of a comeback from here. For only the second time since his debut at Augusta, McIlroy will surely be missing from the weekend after finishing his Friday with an overall score of +5.

Whether McIlroy makes the cut is now out of his hands. Although his fate may have been delayed by the storms that descended on Augusta, there was a resigned look as he took off his cap after a closing bogey at the 18th, before heading up the hill to sign a card of 77 – declining to speak to waiting reporters as he did so.

His round, by then, had spiralled out of control. With Brooks Koepka setting an imposing target and playing with the confidence of a Masters champion, McIlroy grappled desperately at the other end of the leaderboard. He could not find the form to survive, let alone contend.

It’s fair to say no one saw this coming.

Jamie Braidwood reports on McIlroy’s Masters demise:

Rory McIlroy and the Masters cut no one saw coming

Sandy Lyle set for final putt at the Masters

12:42 , Karl Matchett

Yesterday’s dramatic end of play due to, well, lots of things going on at once, did have one slightly sad knock-on effect: the legendary Sandy Lyle was all set to take his final shot (or shots) on the Masters course when the klaxon went off.

The Scottish two-time major winner waved off the crowd as he departed, but he has to wait until today resumes to finish off his final professional round.

Here is the full list of groups still to finish their second round:

Sandy Lyle, Jason Kokrak, Talor Gooch

Fred Couples, Russell Henley, Alex Noren

Adrian Meronk, Kevin Kisner, Louis Oosthuizen

Larry Mize, Min Woo Lee, Harrison Crowe (A)

Sergio Garcia, Kazuki Higa, Keith Mitchell

Patrick Reed, Adam Svensson, Sahith Theegala

Shane Lowry, Mackenzie Hughes, Thomas Pieters

Bubba Watson, Seamus Power, Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira

Abraham Ancer, Chris Kirk, Keegan Bradley

Tiger Woods, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele

Adam Scott, Patrick Cantlay, Kurt Kitayama

Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Cameron Young

Hideki Matsuyama, Cameron Smith, Sungjae Im

The Masters 2023: Saturday tee times and schedule

12:30 , Karl Matchett

The third day of the Masters is approaching...although really, it’s just the rest of the second day.

With play halted early last night, today’s action will resume with over 30 golfers still waiting to finish their second rounds, with those groups getting underway from 1pm GMT - so half an hour from now.

Saturday’s actual third-round action was slated to start from 3pm, but that may still be subject to change depending on the bad weather which is forecast.

Brooks Koepka cleared of ‘staggering’ potential rules violation at the Masters

12:25 , Karl Matchett

Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes it was “staggering” that Brooks Koepka and his caddie were cleared of a potential rules violation at the Masters.

TV footage from Thursday’s first round, which was posted on social media, appeared to show Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott saying “five” to Gary Woodland’s caddie on the 15th fairway.

If that was deemed to have been advice on which club Koepka had just hit into the par five it would be a breach of the rules, but the pair were quickly cleared of any wrongdoing.

“Following the completion of Brooks Koepka’s round, the Committee questioned his caddie and others in the group about a possible incident on No. 15,” James B. Hyler, Jr, Chairman of Competition Committees, said in a statement.

“All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested. Consequently, the Committee determined that there was no breach of the Rules.”

Koepka cleared of ‘staggering’ potential rules violation at the Masters

‘Lucky no one was killed’: Masters suspended as trees collapse near spectators

12:17 , Karl Matchett

There were frightening scenes at the Masters on Friday as three giant pine trees fell down due to high winds and stormy weather, narrowly avoiding spectators by the 16th green and 17th tee.

The terrifying footage capturing the incident at the 16th green was broadcast on ESPN’s TV coverage and shows spectators scrambling to avoid one of trees as it collapsed.

The Masters confirmed that no one was injured and said play had been suspended until Saturday morning.

There were shouts as the tree began to topple, which appears to have alerted some to the danger.

Full details and video here:

‘Lucky no one was killed’: Masters suspended as trees collapse near spectators

Amateur Sam Bennett out to ‘do something special’ on dream Masters debut

12:07 , Karl Matchett

Amateur Sam Bennett insisted he could chase down four-time major winner Brooks Koepka as he continued to enjoy a dream Masters debut.

Playing alongside defending champion Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National, Bennett carded a second consecutive 68 on Friday to trail pacesetter Koepka by four shots.

And the 23-year-old from Texas, who won the US Amateur last year to secure his place in the year’s first major, now has his sights set far higher than beating the six other amateurs in the field.

“Everybody coming into the week was, yeah, hope you get Low Am. That’s pretty much all they were saying,” Bennett said.

“I just wanted to put two good rounds up. I knew my golf was good enough to compete out here. I found myself in a situation that now I’ve got a golf tournament that I can go out and win.”

More here from the amazing amateur:

Amateur Sam Bennett out to ‘do something special’ on dream Masters debut

Jon Rahm hoping weather does not hinder his pursuit of Brooks Koepka at Augusta

11:55 , Karl Matchett

A rejuvenated Brooks Koepka took a three-shot lead into the weekend of the 87th Masters as Jon Rahm hoped the weather would not hinder his pursuit of the four-time major winner.

Koepka added a bogey-free 67 to his opening 65 at Augusta National for a halfway total of 12 under par, the joint-third lowest in tournament history alongside LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.

Rahm had reached nine under par midway through his round when play was suspended for the second time on Friday afternoon as strong winds brought three trees crashing down across the 17th tee.

Remarkably no spectators were hurt in the terrifying incident, but play was later abandoned for the day and scheduled to resume at 8am local time on Saturday, although prolonged spells of rain were forecast.

Rahm hoping weather does not hinder his pursuit of Koepka at Augusta

Masters betting odds: Who the golf experts are tipping for 2023 glory

11:48 , Karl Matchett

The best golfers in the world have descended on a famous patch of Augusta countryside ahead of what appears set to be a fascinating edition of The Masters.

A fantastic start to the PGA Tour year has teed up a mightily intriguing first major of the year, with Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Brooks Koepka showing good form on day one to share the lead.

Jordan Spieth and Jason Day have also looked back to somewhere near their best in recent weeks and know what it takes to challenge around Augusta.

And then there is the return of the LIV Golf rebels, perhaps a little more motivated than usual after the acrimony of the last 18 months and out to prove their worth on their return to the tour.

But who are the experts tipping to pull on the green jacket on Sunday evening?

Masters betting odds: Who the golf experts are tipping for 2023 glory

Brooks Koepka shrugs off controversy to set Masters target

11:32 , Karl Matchett

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka shrugged off the lingering debate over a controversial ruling to set an imposing clubhouse target on day two of the 87th Masters.

Koepka shared the overnight lead with Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland after an opening 65 at Augusta National and was relishing an early start on Friday, with bad weather forecast later in the day.

And the former world number one took full advantage of ideal conditions to post a flawless 67 for a halfway total of 12 under par, the joint-third lowest in tournament history alongside LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.

US Amateur champion Sam Bennett was Koepka’s nearest challenger on eight under after a second consecutive 68 completed shortly before play was suspended due to the threat of thunderstorms.

Brooks Koepka shrugs off controversy to set Masters target

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