Fowler joins 4-way tie at the top in Masters

And that tightened the leaderboard to set up a shootout this weekend at Augusta National Golf Club. If not for that fortunate break on No. 13, he would have lost one or two strokes on that hole and who knows how many others on the following holes if he wasn’t able to recover mentally.

Garcia gained significant ground on overnight leader Hoffman on another breezy day at Augusta where he started six shots behind the American. He was the first to catch Hoffman, who led by four shots after the first round.

After an easy stroll around Augusta National in the opening round, Hoffman discovered “how hard it was for everybody else in this wind when you sort of got out of position”, he said. No player in the sport has been as good for as long as Garcia and not won a major, but he’s still looking for his first.

“Being in contention and getting the job done at Honda just recently and playing well in these last few events has taught me to stick to my game plan”, said Fowler.

World number two Rory McIlroy (73), the highest-ranked player in the field after Dustin Johnson withdrew on Thursday, struggled to make a move as he mixed five bogeys with four birdies to sit five shots off the pace.

Fowler eagled No. 2 and added four birdies Friday. The German golfer stood 5 under through 10 holes Thursday, only to settle for an even-par round. He had a birdie chip from in from of the 18th green to make the cut, but the attempt was short of the hole.

However, the eight-stroke deficit he faced prior to the second round disappeared.

Charley Hoffman pulled it off on Friday, although he would have preferred the cushion he once held.

Hoffman seemed one of the most likely leaders to slip back, following up his 65 on Day 1 with a 75 on Friday.

The third round is nearing its conclusion but already some significant movements on the leaderboard have taken place with holes to go. 6-11 – caused him to briefly lose his lead altogether. In addition to the standard broadcast feed starting at 3:00, the site will stream action all day from Amen Corner (the 11th, 12th, and 13th holes for the Augusta newbies), 15 and 16, as well as several “featured groups”.

“This weekend is going to be definitely a lot of different golf … there are going to be a lot more birdies, some more eagles”, predicted Fowler. “Trying to play to the big parts of greens, not trying to get too aggressive off tees, and, yeah, playing somewhat conservative at times to make sure you weren’t giving up shots or moving backwards”.

“I’m not going to be thinking about winning the tournament until Sunday or the back nine on Sunday”, he said.

Jordan Spieth, who started the day even par, is in fifth, one behind Rickie Fowler, who is 5 under.

After a 272-yard drive gave him a peek at the green around the towering Georgia pines, he stuck his approach 2 feet from the flag for a tap-in.

“I may as well swing freely”, he said. He was hitting good, crisp shots, so he wanted to just keep swinging and let his ability shine.

“So, if I can put together a 67 or a 66 tomorrow, I feel like I’ll be right in there for Sunday”.