Fowler’s lifelong dream sits within his grasp

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rickie Fowler’s moment to validate himself as one of the biggest stars in the game and one of the game’s best players is right before him as he will start Sunday’s final round of the Masters one shot off the lead at 5-under in his effort to capture his first major championship.

Fowler, who shot 71 Saturday, trails leaders Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, who are both 6-under. He will be paired with Jordan Spieth (4-under) in the final round.

“It’s going to be fun,” Fowler said. “I’m looking forward to it. This is, by far, the best I’ve felt in a major. Jordan and I are going out and having some fun. He and I could potentially get off to a good start and we could really push each other. We’ll try and pull the best out of one another. It’s always fun when you’re playing with one of your good buddies.’’

A year ago, Fowler missed the cut. On Sunday, he has the chance to alter the narrative of his career forever.

“It feels like I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” he said. “It doesn’t feel out of place. I feel good about everything. The game feels good. I haven’t swung my best this week or as good as I have the past few weeks. But I know we can pull out our best stuff [Sunday].”

One of the players expected to make a big run Saturday was Rory McIlroy, who began the day five shots off the lead at 1- over. He shot a respectable 71 but lost ground and is six shots back in his pursuit of the final leg of a career Grand Slam.

“I had some chances on the back nine that I could have converted,” he said. “I think I probably could have shot a 67 or 68, but just a few too many wasted opportunities.”

This has looked like Charley Hoffman’s Masters to win or lose since he seized the opening-round lead with a 65. Hoffman entered Saturday’s third round with a share of the lead. He had it to as low as 7-under Saturday before faltering to a third-round 72, though, leaving him two shots out of the lead at 4-under. His double-bogey 5 on the par-3 16th was his downfall.

“Everything was good,” Hoffman said. “I put myself in position pretty much all day. The swing on 16, it happens. It was a bad one. I was able to regroup and make a couple pars coming in, two birdie looks. But [I’m] happy. I’m two back, I’ve been playing good golf, and I’m really happy with where I’m at. I’m playing good golf, and if I play my game tomorrow, I think I got a good chance.’’

Jordan Spieth was asked why he has been so good at Augusta, in contention for the fourth consecutive year.

“I’m not sure,” he said. “I guess the golf course was Tigerproofed at one point. You can’t really Jordanproof it. I don’t overpower it. My fairways hit is 55 percent. That’s not very good. These are very wide fairways.”