Masters Day 3 Tied 10th, Matsuyama Leads by 4 Strokes, Rose, Schauffele and 2 Others Tied 2nd in 'Chase'
Kim Si-woo is disappointed as his birdie putt misses on the 14th hole during the third day of the Masters. Augusta, Georgia, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits
[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics) has hit a roadblock in his march toward a major championship victory.
On the 11th (Korean time) at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, USA (par 72, 7,475 yards), Kim stumbled with a 2-over-par on the third day of the 'Masters,' currently tied for 10th place (2-under-par 214). Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) surged with a 7-under-par, quickly taking the top spot on the leaderboard (11-under-par 205). Four players including Justin Rose (England) and Xander Schauffele (USA) are chasing from a four-stroke deficit, tied for 2nd place (7-under-par 137).
Starting tied for 8th place, three strokes behind the leader, Kim recorded three birdies and five bogeys. Consecutive bogeys on holes 1 and 2 weighed heavily. Most notably, his tee shot fairway hit rate dropped sharply to 42%, making for a tough round. He recovered some ground with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 6 and 8, but bogeys followed on hole 9 (par 4) and again on hole 15 (par 5) when his second shot failed to clear the creek in front of the green. He exchanged a birdie on the late 16th hole (par 3) for a bogey on the 18th hole (par 4).
Matsuyama Hideki is making an approach shot on the 14th hole on the third day of the Masters. Augusta, Georgia, USA - Getty Images / Multibits
Matsuyama’s perfect play of one eagle and five birdies is remarkable. After opening with a birdie on the 7th hole (par 4), he gained momentum with consecutive birdies on holes 11 and 12. On the 11th hole (par 4), despite his tee shot flying into the right fairway woods, he immediately executed a pinpoint iron shot to get 'on the green.' His eagle on the 15th hole (par 5) came with a '2-on 1-putt,' followed by back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17. On the 18th hole (par 4), his third shot stuck close to the hole in a dazzling short game, avoiding a big number.
It is intriguing that Matsuyama has seized the opportunity to become the first Asian player to win the Masters, surpassing last year’s runner-up Im Sung-jae (23). Matsuyama joined the PGA Tour in 2014 and has accumulated five wins, including the 2017 Bridgestone Invitational. The leaders watching closely include Corey Conners (Canada) in 6th place (6-under-par 210) and Jordan Spieth (USA) in 7th place (5-under-par 211). 'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) remains tied for 38th place (2-over-par 218).
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