Day in the life of Augusta’s favourite back marker Knox
IT’S become something of a third-round tradition at the Masters, whereby Augusta member Jeff Knox steps up and gets a game — often with one of the stars.
The 54-year-old gets pressed into action when the halfway cut results in an odd number making it through to the weekend and he gets to mark the back marker’s card. Over the years, this has resulted in him playing with — and beating, it should be said — the likes of Rory McIlroy and Bubba Watson. Knox, who once shot 61 off the members’ tees at Augusta, played his 19th round yesterday and again it was a starry name in the shape of world No 3 Jason Day. The later starters in the third round must have been savouring the prospect as Day emphasised the scoring possibilities with four straight birdies on the back nine.
The Australian is surely too far back to influence matters in today’s final round but his 69 confirmed he is now certainly on the way back following his mum Dening’s successful operation for lung cancer.
It’s also fair to assume he probably upheld the honour of the elite on this occasion and scored lower than Knox. This couldn’t be confirmed because Knox, for the 19th time, refrained from comment.
Day began his round in 53rd place and finished it just outside the top 20. The 29-year-old Queenslander’s birdie run began at the short 12th with a lovely eight iron to 12ft. Sandwiched either side of two-putt birdies at the par five 13th and 15th holes was a six footer at the 14th.
One more birdie over the last two holes might have pushed him to the fringes of contention but, going for broke, he bogeyed the 17th.