AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy has 18 holes standing between himself and the career grand slam after shooting a 6-under 66 on Saturday, which gave him a two-shot advantage over Bryson DeChambeau heading into the final round of the Masters.
McIlroy got off to a fast start at Augusta National, playing the first five holes in 5 under, and was at 12 under for the tournament. DeChambeau made a nearly 50-foot putt from just off the green at No. 18 to shoot 69, his third consecutive round in the 60s.
Corey Conners was at 8 under, and Patrick Reed and Ludvig Aberg were two more shots off the lead. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler struggled to an even-par 72 on Saturday and was in the group at 5 under with Justin Rose, the third-round leader, who shot 75. Jason Day and Shane Lowry also were in the group at 5 under.
When is the Masters?
The final round begins at 9:50 a.m. EDT on Sunday. McIlroy and DeChambeau tee off at 2:30 p.m.
How can I watch the Masters?
The Masters stream on its website resumes at 10:15 a.m. EDT on Sunday with cameras highlighting holes and featured groups. Final-round television coverage begins at noon on Paramount+ and 2 p.m. on CBS.
What are the betting odds for the Masters?
McIlroy is the 9-4 favorite to finish the job Sunday, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, slightly ahead of DeChambeau, who is at 13-5 odds. Conners is 16-1, Aberg and Scheffler are 40-1 and Reed is 66-1 to make up his six-shot deficit.
What else happened Saturday at Augusta National?
Zach Johnson matched McIlroy with the low round of the day, though the 49-year-old former Masters champion did it much earlier in the day. Johnson made the cut on the number at 2 over, and his 66 Saturday left him with Xander Schauffele, Sungjae Im and Nicolas Echavarria at 4 under for the tournament.
Viktor Hovland had a couple of early birdies and quickly reached 6 under, but he gave away three shots on the second nine and wound up shooting 73. He was in a group at 3 under with Max Homa and Collin Morikawa.
Matt McCarty was 6 under with three holes to play, but he went bogey-double bogey-bogey to shoot 75.
What is the weat
her forecast?
The weather has been pristine ever since rain washed out Monday's practice round. The same is expected Sunday.
What happened last year at the Masters?
Scheffler shot a 4-under 68 on Sunday, keeping preternatural poise while his closest competitors faltered around Amen Corner, and finished with a four-shot victory over Masters newcomer Ludvig Aberg for his second green jacket in three years.
Aberg was among four players who had a share of the lead on Sunday; he lost ground when his approach went into the pond left of the 11th hole and he made double bogey. Morikawa had two double bogeys to fall out of the hunt, tying for third with Homa and Tommy Fleetwood, whose own double bogey from the bushes at the par-3 12th ruined his chances.
Tiger Woods closed with a 77 and finished at 16-over 304, the highest 72-hole score of his career.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Dave Skretta, The Associated Press
