Jordan Spieth Leads Masters Going into the Final Round

Image via Zimbio

Thus far it’s been a roller coaster ride for Jordan Spieth at the Masters, who was mistakenly accused of being human after shooting a disappointing two-over par 74 in the second round. It may have been the first time in his career to finish a round over par at this particular tournament, but the 66 he shot on Thursday provided a sizable cushion.

Despite finishing the second round in first place at 4-under, one stroke ahead of Rory McIlroy, Spieth was unhappy with how he let the weather impact his game. “I’m a bit disappointed right now,” he said Friday evening. “It was a mental test today. With the wind and the conditions, it was difficult. It was like a U.S. Open out there.”

Paired together for round three, beginning the day it seemed McIlroy had all the momentum, while Spieth was fading. Apparently neither of them got the memo though.

McIlroy began the day at 3-under, losing his first stroke with a bogey on hole three. Another bogey at seven and ten, followed by a double bogey on the 11^th, put him 5-under on the day, 2-under for the tournament. Spieth, on the other hand, improved his score to 6-under and held steady through 16 holes.

Unfortunately for Spieth, his steadiness faltered in the home stretch. Had he shot part on the final two holes, going into the final round on Sunday, Spieth would have held a commanding four-stroke lead on Smylie Kaufman, who at 2-under is in sole possession of second. But a bogey, double bogey finish cut his lead in half.

And just like that, we’ve got an entirely different tournament on our hands.

Click here to see the complete leaderboard ahead of the final round.