By Joel Beall
There were too many to watch for the few on property to see. Five began Saturday afternoon tied for the lead, another five a stroke behind, three more two back. That didn’t include the beefy man with the big drives who is a marvel to behold in person, score be damned. So the cadre of club members and WAGs and parents and media swung like a pendulum between the first and 10th tees as the third round commenced.

“Oh, DeeJay and Rahm and Cantlay are up. I’m walking with them.”

“Wait, is that Bryson? He’s going off the back? I haven’t seen him this week.”

“Hold on, hold on; JT is up next!”

It was a rarity at Augusta National, overwhelmed not by the scenery but by the tee sheet. No such problem will exist Sunday.

Dustin Johnson took this Masters and threw it in his backseat, taking control with a bogey-free, seven-under 65 for a four-shot lead Saturday evening.

“I know what it takes. I’m very comfortable with having the lead going into tomorrow,” Johnson said. “I’ve been in this situation a lot of times. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

He came to Georgia with a win or runner-up in five of his past six starts, and the outlier wasn’t too shabby either, a T-6 at the U.S. Open. Forever a blend of self-assurance and composure, Johnson was already known as a savant, displaying an ability to block out the things others couldn’t. Yet, somehow, this Johnson is an improved Johnson, flaunting a command of his game and himself that has left competitors in awe.

RELATED: The sad history of Dustin Johnson’s blown majors

“[He’s playing] great, same as he’s been playing the last few months,” Rory McIlroy noted on Friday evening. “See ball, hit ball, see putt, hole putt, go to the next. He makes the game so simple or makes it look so simple at times, for sure.

“I think he’s got one of the best attitudes toward the game of golf in the history of the game. I don’t know if I can compare him to anyone else, but the way he approaches the game is awesome.”

Dustin Johnson walks on the 13th hole during the third round of the Masters. Rob Carr

To those on the grounds still paralyzed by who to follow, Johnson provided an answer, and early, at the 575-yard, par-5 second. Delivered it from 222 yards out. This year the folks at Augusta National have made every shot available to view on their mobile app. Problem is, video can only contain so much swagger. The cameras caught Johnson’s swing from 222, cutting to the ball at rest two feet from the pin. What they failed to show was the ball lipping out. Johnson damn near made a double eagle. An almost Oosthuizen.

Down the hill came Johnson with his 6-foot-4 stature, stoic gait and icy stare that have often evoked the imagery of Dirty Harry. His only concern was how it didn’t go in.

“I had a good number and came out exactly where I wanted to. Landed exactly in the right spot,” Johnson said. “It’s tough to get close to that hole location, but with the soft conditions I was able to hit a nice shot. I was actually trying to hit a little past the flag, and came up right on it.”

That was a hole won by Johnson’s length, using driver and 5-iron to get the work done. The next two victories came via putter. Johnson converted a slippery eight-footer for birdie at the third and proceeded to drain a 40-footer on the fourth. For those scoring at home, Johnson was four under through four. Another birdie came at the seventh, this of the tap-in variety, after Johnson made two pars on the tough fifth and sixth. He made the turn in 31.

Now, Johnson is most certainly a gunslinger, which at times has placed him in undesirable spots. Saturday, he was judicious when opening the chamber. He kept the aggressive temptations at bay at the 11th and 12th. Rather than go for hero shots at the par-5 13th and 15th he played to the safe parts of the green, forgoing eagle in favor of two-putt birdies. The few times he was in trouble—such as a wayward approach at the 18th—he bailed himself out with a short game that is perennially overlooked.

It wasn’t the most colorful of golf, but you have to be a special type of good to make 65 at the Masters boring.

“I would say the game is in really good form right now,” Johnson said. “It’s just very consistent. I feel like I’ve got a lot of control what I’m doing, controlling my distance well with my flight and my shape. I’m very comfortable standing over the golf ball right now, and obviously that’s a really good feeling.”

Dustin Johnson plays his tee shot on the par-3 12th. Rob Carr

Was Augusta National subdued? Yes, she was. Rain, both this week and throughout the fall, has left the course vulnerable, a handful of 67s and 68s testifying as much. The SubAir systems are a modern wonder here at Augusta National, but Mother Nature remains undefeated.

However, it’s worth noting that as Johnson hit the gas pedal most of his competition could not shift into the proper gear. Jon Rahm’s day was undone by a double at the eighth. Justin Thomas’ five birdies were wiped out by four bogeys over his final seven holes. A double and three bogeys have Patrick Reed seven back. Patrick Cantlay and Hideki Matsuyama fell off the telecast.

Only three are within four shots: Cam Smith, Sungjae Im and Abraham Ancer, all at 12 under. Smith is sand-in-your-shoes tough; Im and Ancer have been marvelous in their tournament debuts. But we know what the Masters thinks of rookies, and though Smith did finish T-5 here in 2018, he also owns just one solo win in the States. Johnson’s Sunday should not be spent staring in the rearview mirror.

RELATED: This Augusta National record that’s been around since 1940 is within Dustin Johnson’s grasp

Of course, this is Dustin Johnson, a player whose career is partially defined for not taking what was there to be had.

Yes, we are hard on Johnson because he can make this impossible game look impossibly easy. He also has 19 top 10s at majors against a lone U.S. Open title. He wasn’t in contention in each of those events … yet he was in a good chunk of them, and a good chunk of them featured missteps, many in spectacular and self-inflicted fashion.

Which is why, in spite of Johnson’s four-shot advantage Sunday, this is must-see theater. For there are two, and only two, incontrovertible outcomes: Johnson downs the whispers and what-ifs and stigma of “Should’ve Been” for good, enshrining himself among the legends of the sport. Or, he throws propane into the fire that surrounds his legacy.

Dustin Johnson is seeking his first Masters win and second major title on Sunday. Rob Carr

What Johnson thinks about this, well, he has no appetite for such discourse. While most historically great players talk in reverential and intuitive and serious tones about their place in the game, Johnson talks about the game like it’s a game. Nothing more. Same applies for tomorrow.

“It’s just 18 holes of golf,” Johnson said regarding a win changing his narrative. “I need to go out and play solid. I feel like I’m swinging really well. If I can just continue to give myself a lot of looks at birdie, I think I’ll have a good day.”

So be it. This much is clear. From too many to watch Saturday afternoon, one remains.

The post Only Dustin Johnson stands in the way of Dustin Johnson appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Brian Wacker
The old saying goes that the Masters doesn’t begin until the back nine on Sunday. The road to get there, though, is shaping up to be riveting in its own right.

Already, history has been made at Augusta National.

Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas are among five players tied for the lead after the first two rounds, all shooting matching nine-under 135 scores. It marks the first time in any major that the first-, second- and third-ranked players in the world have sat atop the leader board after any round of any major championship.

But they’re hardly alone in pursuit of the green jacket. It’s a crowded bunch at the top.

Sharing the lead with the aforementioned trio are Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Australia’s Cam Smith, teammates on last year’s International Presidents Cup squad. No Mexican player has ever won the Masters.

Meanwhile, five more players lurk just a single stroke back, including Patrick Cantlay, who just two weeks ago held off Rahm and Thomas to win the Zozo Championship at Sherwood Country Club. Also among that group are 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed and Hideki Matsuyama, who is seeking to become Japan’s first major champion.

The list of notables in contention don’t stop there, either. Danny Willett, who won the Masters in 2016, is at seven under, along with 2012 U.S. Open winner and 2017 Masters runner-up Justin Rose. Tommy Fleetwood is also at seven under.

If all of this seems familiar, it should. A year ago in one of the most riveting Masters tournaments in history, five players were tied for the lead.

Meanwhile, there were 22 in all tied at the top or within four strokes of the lead after the first two rounds. Among them this year are the game’s two biggest stars, defending champion Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, both tied for 17th and at five under.

Which brings us to another bit of history. Thirty-four years ago, Jack Nicklaus won his sixth green jacket and 18th career major at age 46.

Where did Nicklaus stand after the first two rounds at Augusta National that year? Tied for 17th.

MORE MASTERS 2020 STORIES FROM GOLF DIGEST:
• Golf Digest’s exclusive photos from Augusta National
• Here’s the biggest course change at Augusta National and it’s not what you would think
• Tiger Woods chokes up recalling his incredible victory at Augusta in 2019
• The sad history of Dustin Johnson’s blown majors
• The parallel stats between Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and Tiger Woods in 2020 are nothing short of eerie
• This Augusta National record that’s been around since 1940 is within Dustin Johnson’s grasp
• Tiger Woods’ mind was willing but his body wasn’t on a taxing Saturday
• Starting times and pairings for Sunday’s final round at Augusta National
• Phil Mickelson matches his worst Masters score ever thanks to dreaded snowman
• Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at Augusta National
• Jon Rahm’s eighth hole—with a topped shot and a ball off a tree—was straight out of your foursome
• Bryson DeChambeau—who says he’s sick, feeling dizzy and numb—makes cut
• Abraham Ancer skipped practice at Augusta National for a fantastic reason last week

The post This amazing major championship first is why the weekend at Augusta is shaping up to be awesome appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Stephen Hennessey
For those paying attention, some interesting parallels existed between Tiger Woods in 2020 and Jack Nicklaus in 1986 as we entered this week. Tiger, in defense of his 2019 Masters title, sat 33rd in the world—which just happened to be the same position Nicklaus was ranked before he won his sixth green jacket. And Tiger is making his 23rd appearance in the Masters—just like Jack was back in 1986.

Some fun stats, for sure. But those symmetries became more real—and eerie—on Saturday morning when they wrapped up the second round of play at Augusta National. Tiger shot 68-71 to sit at five under par after 36 holes. That leaves him at T-17 for the tournament. Well, guess what: Back in 1986, Nicklaus’ position was … wait for it … T-17. Yep the same exact position with Tiger looking to match Jack’s record of six Masters titles.

That’s too good. Also, as noted by stats guru Justin Ray on Twitter, Jack sat six shots back of the lead after 36 holes in ’86, whereas Tiger is just four back. So that will only add more hope for those rooting for Tiger to earn a 16th major title with a win this week. That’d be the first time a Masters champion has gone back-to-back at Augusta since Tiger in 2001 and 2002.

If you buy into this Tiger/Jack narrative, and there’s some strong evidence in this favour, that would mean there’s at least a chance of some more history accomplished by Tiger at Augusta National.

Of course, it will take an extraordinary effort with such a talented leader board. The No. 1, 2 and 3-ranked players in the world share the lead after 36 holes, which is the first time the top three ranked players in the world are tied at the top of any major ever. But none of the players have the experience winning majors like Tiger does, so he has that on his side as he looks to add another improbable chapters in golf’s history books.

MORE MASTERS 2020 STORIES FROM GOLF DIGEST:
• Golf Digest’s exclusive photos from Augusta National
• Here’s the biggest course change at Augusta National and it’s not what you would think
• Tiger Woods chokes up recalling his incredible victory at Augusta in 2019
• The sad history of Dustin Johnson’s blown majors
• The parallel stats between Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and Tiger Woods in 2020 are nothing short of eerie
• This Augusta National record that’s been around since 1940 is within Dustin Johnson’s grasp
• Tiger Woods’ mind was willing but his body wasn’t on a taxing Saturday
• Starting times and pairings for Sunday’s final round at Augusta National
• Phil Mickelson matches his worst Masters score ever thanks to dreaded snowman
• Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at Augusta National
• Jon Rahm’s eighth hole—with a topped shot and a ball off a tree—was straight out of your foursome
• Bryson DeChambeau—who says he’s sick, feeling dizzy and numb—makes cut
• Abraham Ancer skipped practice at Augusta National for a fantastic reason last week

The post The parallel stats between Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and Tiger Woods in 2020 are nothing short of eerie appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Ryan Herrington
It’s another day of catch-up at the Masters, as the weather delay from the first round continues to impact the schedule at Augusta National.

On Saturday morning, 49 players resumed their second rounds and wrapped up play around 10 a.m. The cut wound up coming at even-par 144, a new record low for the tournament. Sixty players and ties will now be playing the final 36 holes, and will be heading out quickly to get the third round started on Saturday afternoon.

Players will be going off split tees again (first and 10th) in threesomes, the goal to get Round 3 finished before nightfall so that the tournament will finally be back on schedule for Sunday.

Here are the third round tee times:

SATURDAY (All times EST)

First tee
10:20 AM — (a) John Augenstein, Bernhard Langer, Rory McIlroy
10:31 AM — Webb Simpson, Jazz Janewattananond, Xander Schauffele
10:42 AM — Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel
10:53 AM — Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler, Paul Casey
11:04 AM — Louis Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson Brooks Koepka
11:15 AM — Justin Rose, Sebastian Munoz, Dylan Frittelli
11:26 AM — Patrick Reed, Danny Willett, Tommy Fleetwood
11:37 AM — Sungjae Im, C.T. Pan, Hideki Matsuyama
11:48 AM — Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay
11:59 AM — Abraham Ancer, Cameron Smith, Justin Thomas

10th Tee
10:20 AM — Victor Perez, Charles Howell III, Kevin Na
10:31 AM — Si Woo Kim, Shugo Imahira, Adam Scott
10:42 AM — Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Cameron Champ, Marc Leishman
10:53 AM — Brandt Snedeker, Lee Westwood, Matt Wallace
11:04 AM — Chez Reavie, Bubba Watson, Bernd Wiesberger
11:15 AM — Shane Lowry, (a) Andy Ogletree, Ian Poulter
11:26 AM — Mike Weir, Nick Taylor, Sung Kang
11:37 AM — Collin Morikawa, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Zach Johnson
11:48 AM — Jimmy Walker, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau
11:59 AM — Charl Schwartzel, Jordan Spieth, Rafael Cabrera Bello

The post Starting times and pairings for Saturday’s third round at Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

JD Cuban

By Joel Beall
He has completed 36 holes, and thanks to a second-nine charge, there will be 36 more for Bryson DeChambeau, making the cut on the number. However, the Masters favourite is anything but heading into Saturday afternoon, his tournament thus far a tale of two holes—and two 7s.

“It just seems like there’s a lot of things going not in the right way,” DeChambeau said Saturday morning after his second-round 74, which left him at even-par 144, nine shots off the lead. ”I’ve certainly played worst golf than this and won golf tournaments. So, you know, it’s one of those things where it’s golf. You can’t control everything as much as you try.”

The first big mistake came at the 13th during Thursday’s first round, the hole DeChambeau was supposed to bend to his will. Instead, the 13th reminded all that, while distance gains have muted much of its challenge, it is no pushover.

DeChambeau’s drive sailed right, catching the loblolly pines and dropping into a pile of straw. There was a window, but it was tight. From 190 yards and the ball sitting slightly above his feet, punching out seemed like the choice. But DeChambeau did not take his medicine, choosing the aggressive route. It was the wrong choice, as his shot knuckled hard and left and long, barreling into a bush above the green. He found his ball but was forced to take an unplayable, and he flubbed his fourth short of the green. The fifth wasn’t much better and the sixth stayed out of the cup. On the second easiest hole on the course through two rounds (4.601 average), DeChambeau made a double-bogey 7. It could have been worse; had they not found his ball, DeChambeau’s provisional went in the water.

RELATED: Bryson DeChambeau: The man who could change golf

“I just didn’t draw it around the corner enough, and I got greedy,” DeChambeau said. “This golf course, as much as I’m trying to attack it, it can bite back.”

The second mistake was not really a mistake. On Friday at the start of his second round, DeChambeau attempted to drive the green at the par-4 third but sailed his tee shot left into a second cut that, this week, is not exactly a second cut. Despite the efforts of a search party, DeChambeau’s ball could not be found, leading to a curious exchange in which DeChambeau asked a rules official if it meant the situation qualified as a lost ball. The official replied in the affirmative, forcing DeChambeau back to the tee box. His second drive and third shot overall also went left, with his fourth going over the green. He failed to get up-and-down, leading to a triple bogey.

“I mean, definitely throws you for a loop when the guy goes and gives you the ball on the fourth tee box. ’Oh, I found it.’ You know, I struggle whenever we know it’s in that area and it’s all wet and it’s a plugged lie, guaranteed,” DeChambeau said. ”And they don’t give you—they have to say it’s within a couple foot area. I’m like, ‘Well, I know it’s in this area that’s plugged, so I would think I would get some relief,’ but clearly not. The three minutes was up, so I took a penalty and went back to the tee box and proceeded to hit in the same spot and had a really bad lie after that.”

JD Cuban

This is not to say Bryson’s woes were contained to two holes. He made six bogeys in Round 2, which spilled into Saturday morning, many spurred by wayward drives. As for the drives that were on the grid, DeChambeau failed to take advantage of them, a sentiment best encapsulated by his fifth hole on Thursday. DeChambeau dialled in the launch codes and carried the left-side bunkers, a 350-yard drive that left a wedge into the uphill, 490-yard beast. However, DeChambeau’s approach went long into a bunker.

It was not all ugly. He racked up 12 birdies through two days, an amount only Patrick Reed, Justin Thomas and Sungjae Im have surpassed. Subtract the two 7s and fill them in with pars, and DeChambeau would be in contention. Unfortunately for DeChambeau, that’s now how this rodeo works.

Also not helping matters: Following his second round, DeChambeau said he hasn’t been feeling well.

“I was feeling something a little weird last—two nights ago, and I came out yesterday and was fine for the most part,” DeChambeau said. “As I kept going through the round, I started getting a little dizzy. I don’t know what was going on, a little something weird. So I got checked for COVID last night, and I was fine, nothing. But I had to do the right thing and make sure there was nothing more serious than that. I don’t know what it is or what happened, but these past couple days, I’ve felt really, really odd and just not 100 percent. Some of that’s played into it. I just feel kind of dull and numb out there, just not fully aware of everything, and making some silly, silly mistakes for sure.”

RELATED: Video: Bryson DeChambeau interview

DeChambeau continued that every time he bent down he would lose his stance, and that it’s the first time he’s dealt with this before. “I don’t know what’s going on,” he said. “I’ve got to go and do some blood work and get checked out and figure out what’s going on for this off‑season.”

There are still 36 holes left, more than enough time for DeChambeau to improve his standing. And whatever illness is bothering DeChambeau, the U.S. Open champ conceded his game remains a work in progress.

“Wet ground and water has always been my nemesis for some reason, just can’t figure it out, whereas some people have no problem with it. They’re able to hit it and have no issues,” DeChambeau said. “Something I’ve got to work on this offseason. I’ve got to figure out some golf ball stuff. I felt like I was swinging my irons pretty well. Driver was not well. I just, again, felt dull and numb out there. I don’t know what else to say.”

MORE MASTERS 2020 STORIES FROM GOLF DIGEST:
• Golf Digest’s exclusive photos from Augusta National
• Here’s the biggest course change at Augusta National and it’s not what you would think
• Tiger Woods chokes up recalling his incredible victory at Augusta in 2019
• The sad history of Dustin Johnson’s blown majors
• The parallel stats between Jack Nicklaus in 1986 and Tiger Woods in 2020 are nothing short of eerie
• This Augusta National record that’s been around since 1940 is within Dustin Johnson’s grasp
• Tiger Woods’ mind was willing but his body wasn’t on a taxing Saturday
• Starting times and pairings for Sunday’s final round at Augusta National
• Phil Mickelson matches his worst Masters score ever thanks to dreaded snowman
• Here’s the prize money payout for each golfer at Augusta National
• Jon Rahm’s eighth hole—with a topped shot and a ball off a tree—was straight out of your foursome
• Bryson DeChambeau—who says he’s sick, feeling dizzy and numb—makes cut
• Abraham Ancer skipped practice at Augusta National for a fantastic reason last week

 

The post Bryson DeChambeau—who says he’s sick, feeling dizzy and numb—makes cut appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beall
A three-time Masters winner was an unexpected add to the tournament Monday.

That would be Jim (Bones) Mackay, longtime caddie for Phil Mickelson. Mackay, who was on the bag for all three of Mickelson’s Masters triumphs, was spotted on the grounds Monday working with Jimmy Walker.

The 2016 PGA champ has employed Mackay before, with Bones helping out at the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

After parting ways with Mickelson in 2017 after 25 years together, Mackay joined NBC Sports as a commentator for its golf coverage. However, Bones has come out of retirement multiple times in the past three seasons, including fill-in loops for Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick this year.

One of those temporary gigs with Thomas led to a win at this year’s WGC-St. Jude FedEx Invitational, with Bones also caddying for Thomas at the following week’s PGA Championship while Thomas’ usual bag man, Jimmy Johnson, dealt with health issues.

Walker is hoping Bones can provide a much-needed spark. The 41-year-old Texan has missed the cut in eight of his past 10 starts, with his last top-10 finish coming in 2018. He enters the week 407th in the World Ranking.

The post Surprise! “Bones” Mackay will be on the bag at Augusta National appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.