AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler delivered an impressive performance during the third round of the Masters, carding a 65 to match the lowest score of the tournament so far. With this round, the former champion cut his deficit to leader Rory McIlroy from 12 strokes to just five, reinvigorating his chances heading into the final round.
Scheffler's round was highlighted by a stellar front nine, where he shot a 31 — his best opening nine in his seven Masters appearances. Following an eagle at the par-5 second hole, he seemed poised to capitalize further on his momentum. However, the world No. 1 faced challenges converting birdie opportunities on the back nine.
When asked if he could have performed better given his missed chances, Scheffler responded, "That’s just a terrible question. Next question. Awful.” Despite his frustration, he acknowledged the positives. “I did what I needed to do. Went out and executed to give myself some opportunities, and more of that tomorrow, and I think I’ll be in a good spot.”
While Scheffler made birdies on holes 7, 8, and 9, he struggled to maintain that pace. He had several birdie putts on the back nine, but only managed to sink one on the par-3 16th before finishing with a par on the last hole.
As he reflects on his performance, Scheffler noted, "I hit it really nice today. I felt like I was very sharp with the irons... Gave myself a lot of opportunities, and I felt like I took advantage of those on the front nine, and then back nine I did a lot of good things." He emphasized that while he was close to scoring lower, he remained committed to focusing on executing his strategy for the next round.
On a broader scale, McIlroy continued to dominate, having shot 65 on Friday to secure a commanding 12-under par status with a six-shot lead. The challenge now lies in Scheffler needing to keep pace with the Northern Irishman, especially as he noted that the par-5s on the back nine have been troublesome for him, where he is currently 2 over.
As the tournament progresses, Scheffler will be keen on not just replicating his solid play but ensuring he capitalizes on all available chances. McIlroy’s consistent performance makes him a formidable opponent, but Scheffler is determined as he sets his sights on a successful final round at Augusta National.