The Masters : Tee Times Leaderboard
The script for every professional wrestling match always pits the time honoured "good guy" against the "villainous heel". Hulk Hogan, our hero, thrilled millions of devoted fans as did older heroes like Whipper Billy Watson before him, against the terrible Iron Sheik and Dick the Bulldog Brower.
The difference is, the results, (sorry to tell you wrestling fans,) was always scripted.. keep this in mind.
Photo by JD Cuban
Enter Rory McIlroy, without a major in 10 years, historic meltdowns at Augusta, who went out in Saturday five under par in his first 6 holes with 6 straight 3's, with 3 birdies and an eagle, out in 32, then after a stumble at the 10th, the birdie at 13 and a majestic drive and approach to 6 feet for eagle at 15, he was suddenly 4 shots clear with a second straight 66, as he walked off the 18th at -12.
Another good guy, playing partner Canada's Corey Conners was out in 35 with birdies at 8 and 9, then another at 10 saw him at -8, and that is where his day ended in 2nd, after 8 straight pars for 70.
Now enter the villain, a turncoat to the evil LIV, Bryson DeChambeau once a talented but brash, mouthy young showman with a sensational driver, remember how he ripped Rory's heart out at last year's US Open at Pinehurst after Rory missed two short putts in his last 3 holes, then DeChambeau pulled his drive at 18 into the native area on a tree root, punched out into a fairway bunker, then hit the chip of his life to 4 feet, made the putt to steal the trophy Rory had one hand on.
Now 31, having grown up in maturity and the complete player, he was at -7 yesterday after a bogey at the par3 12th. He made birdie at the 15th, a better one at the 16th to move into 2nd at -9. Then to seal the storybook final pairing for Sunday, he audaciously holed a 48 footer right across the top of the 18th green for a 69 and -10.
**** In 2011 Rory led by 4 shots heading into Sunday, and still led by 1 heading into the back nine. The ensuing 43, 80 T15 total is one of the scars the best player in the world right now has had to heal. Playing with DeChambeau may be another. Winning the Grand Slam is yet another.
In what will likely be one of the most watched finals in the post Tiger era, the stage is set, but the ending is far from scripted. They will tee off at 2.30pm est
2.20 pm : Meanwhile in the supporting cast in the penultimate pairing, Corey Conners at -8 could well steal the spotlight, to make Canadian history joining Mike Weir as the Masters champion.
He will play with another villain, Patrick Reed, so often embroiled in controversy on the PGA Tour before he jumped into oblivion on the LIV in 2022, who had caught and passed a faltering Rory to win the 2018 Masters. He is at -6.
2.10pm : Ludvig Aberg -6 last years runner up will play with rejuvenated Aussie Jason Day -5, back with his old coach and mentor Colin Swatton who he parted with seven years ago.
2.00 : at -5 Shane Lowry, Rory's boyhood friend, along with defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who I won't be surprised to see tie the course record or close, but surely he is too far back.
1.50 Justin Rose, the 36 hole leader 65 71, moved the wrong way with 75 on Saturday, but at -5 he will be paired with Zach Johnson who won the 2007 Masters.
Bryan Angus
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