Reed pushes Masters lead to 3
A chip that likely would have gone off the green at the par-5 eighth banged into the pin and dropped for eagle. He managed to find his second shot among the azaleas on the 13th to escape with par. And he got into the final group, an ideal position as he goes after the final leg of the career Grand Slam.
“There's a lot more players in this tournament than just Patrick and I,” McIlroy said. “It won't be quite as intense, but we'll still be feeling it. Patrick is going for his first (major), and I'm going for something else.”
He paused to smile when he heard a few chuckles. That “something else” is a collection of four majors that only five other players can claim.
“It's going to be good fun,” McIlroy said.
Rickie Fowler made eagle on the par-5 second and was 5 under through eight holes. He cooled until the end of his round, when a pair of birdies over the last two holes gave him a 65 and left him five shots behind. Jon Rahm of Spain also chipped in for eagle on No. 8 and saved par on the 13th after hitting into the creek in his round of 65. He was at 8-under 208.
Tiger Woods had to significantly lower his goal this week. He shot 72, was 18 shots behind and now hopes to finish the tournament under par.
So many others who started the third round with a chance didn't do nearly enough to stay even remotely close to Reed. Justin Thomas (70), Jordan Spieth (71) and Dustin Johnson (71) all are at least nine shots behind.
Reed and McIlroy are linked so indelibly to that singles match at Hazeltine in 2016 when they produced the highest quality of golf amid ear-splitting cheers, making big putts on top of the other. Reed prevailed on the 18th hole in a rare U.S. victory at the Ryder Cup.
“All the pressure is on him,” McIlroy said. “He went to Augusta State. He’s got a lot of support here. I'm hoping to come in and spoil the party.” McIlroy has plenty on him, too. The Masters is where he threw away a four-shot lead in the final round.
“Hopefully, all I did learn seven years ago, I can put into practice,” McIlroy said. “I've been waiting for this chance.”
Reed doesn’t have a major. He doesn’t have experience of a big stage, a big crowd and enormous pressure. That came from Hazeltine and a match described as “one of the best we ever played.”
“The biggest thing I can pull from it is going head-to-head with Rory and I was able to put together a good round,” he said.
Reed doesn’t buy into the idea that the pressure is all on him.
“I am leading,” he said. “At the same time, he's going for the career Grand Slam.” 10 a.m. Vijay Singh. 10:10 a.m Ian Poulter Brian Harman. 10:20 a.m. Chez Reavie Phil Mickelson. 10:30 a.m. Tyrrell Hatton a-Doug Ghim. 10:40 a.m. Martin Kaymer Kyle Stanley. 10:50 a.m. K. Aphibarnrat X. Schauffele. 11 a.m. B. DeChambeau Branden Grace. 11:10 a.m. R. Cabrera Bello Tiger Woods 11:20 a.m. Bernhard Langer Fred Couples 11:40 a.m. Xsch Johndon Webb Simpson.