AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Moving day has arrived at Augusta National with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler tied with Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau for the lead at the halfway point of the 88th Masters.
Five-time champion Tiger Woods is seven shots off the pace after making the cut for a record 24th straight time.
The wind is expected to subside for Saturday’s third round, replaced by perfect temperatures in the mid-70s, which should afford players more opportunities to go after pins. Expect more birdies and possibly eagles as well as some early players on the course make a run up the leaderboard.
Major shifts are expected on the leaderboard.
Here is a look at what you need to know on Day 3 of the Masters.
The first pairing on Saturday went off at 9:35 a.m. local time, with Homa and DeChambeau set to play in the final group at 2:45 p.m.
Other notable tee times include defending champion Jon Rahm (10:25 a.m.), Rory McIlroy (10:55 a.m.), Phil Mickelson (11:25 a.m.), Brooks Koepka (12:35 p.m.), Xander Schauffele (12:55 p.m.) and Scheffler (2:35 p.m.).
The Masters streams on its website throughout the day, and cameras highlight holes and groups.
CBS will broadcast the final two rounds Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
The tournament also is streamed on ESPN+, Paramount+ and Fubo+.
There's plenty of intrigue entering the weekend, especially when Woods is in contention.
At 48, he's still very much a long shot to win. But the mere possibility of Woods doing the unthinkable and turning back the clock to match Jack Nicklaus with a sixth Masters wins despite multiple surgeries that have severely limited his playing time certainly will attract viewership.
It would take a lot to beat Scheffler, who will look to take charge after following up a 66 on Thursday with a 72 in windy conditions on Friday. He has shot par or better at the Masters in 16 of 18 rounds. He never has shot worse than par here on the weekend in eight rounds.
Scheffler is the hottest player on tour. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the second time in March, becoming the first ever to defend his title at The Players Championship a week later and tied for second at the Houston Open a couple of weeks ago.
Homa is one of four players in the top seven who never have won a major.
DeChambeau has a major title under his belt but has yet to win at Augusta.
As for McIlroy, his hopes of completing the Grand Slam likely will have to wait another year after shooting 77 on Friday to drop 10 shots off the pace. Likewise, Rahm's hopes of repeating as Masters champion are slim after he barely made the cut at 5-over 149.
Scheffler, the overwhelming favorite to win the Masters coming into the week, remains the favorite at 1.25-1, down quite a bit from the 5-4 odds in the first round, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
DeChambeau’s odds have improved to 9-2, with Homa now third at 5-1.
Woods' odds have dropped to 200-1 after failing to gain ground on the leaders Friday, and you can bet McIlroy at 250-1.
Rahm persevered last year to become the fourth Spaniard to win the Masters. He shared the first-round lead with Koepka and Viktor Hovland, then stayed in contention during a second round twice suspended because of approaching thunderstorms and halted when three towering pines fell near the 17th tee.
Torrential rain caused play Saturday to be suspended, too, and Rahm resumed Sunday four strokes off Koepka’s lead. But he halved the deficit by the end of the third round, and Rahm’s final-round 69 put him four shots clear of the fading Koepka and fan favorite Phil Mickelson, whose closing 65 at the age of 52 made him the oldest player to finish in the top five.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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