Fowler sits 3rd at Masters: ‘Right where I’m supposed to be’

England’s Justin Rose, who won the gold medal at last year’s Summer Olympics, was three strokes off the lead coming into Saturday and was even in third round play through 11 holes.

Sergio Garcia fired a birdie on the final hole to claim his first ever major title at the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia today.

None more than Garcia, who is mindful of the fact that Sunday would have been the 60th birthday of two-time Masters champion Seve Ballesteros, the most famous of all Spanish golfers who naturally is idolized by the co-leader, along with another two-time victor at Augusta, Jose Maria Olazabal.

“Everybody was talking about how great that round was yesterday, but it was pretty easy to me – making putts, hitting good, solid golf shots”, Hoffman said. The former US Open victor, and Olympic gold medallist recorded birdies on his final two holes, in a back-nine of -5, to book his spot in Sunday’s final group. I am getting more comfortable here. “Everything clicked into gear”, said Rose.

“I don’t want to get ahead of myself but it would mean …”

On 13, Garcia thought he put his second shot in the water that guards the green.

“I knew I needed to get going for sure”. The Spaniard is still searching for his first major triumph at the 74th attempt and victory could be wrapped up on what would have been Seve Ballesteros’ 60th birthday.

Garcia said it was simple: his mind was free of his Augusta demons. “His help is always welcome”. We’ll try and pull the best out of one another.

Having clawed back the first-round deficit on Friday, Spieth rode the wave into Saturday’s third round, with birdies at the sixth, eighth, ninth and 13th to move to four under, just two off Hoffman’s lead alongside Garcia. “We’re going to go out and give it our all for him”.

The 2015 Masters champion, who has awin and two runner-up finishes in his three previous Masters appearances, is tied for fourth with Ryan Moore, who postedhis second consecutive 69, and Charley Hoffman (72).

Jordan Spieth is now ominously poised behind the front-runners, as the American continues to produce a remarkable recovery after ending the first day of play 10 shots off the lead. “It feels like I’m right where I’m supposed to be”, he said. He said when he hit crisp, high arcing shots often they landed a yard or two into the rough, making it hard to navigate the subsequent approach.

Sunday’s final round will bring with it the kind of drama this tournament expects, with only one person winning, but likely a handful of golfers losing it.

Former Masters champion Adam Scott (69) is three shots back and Charl Schwartzel (68), another wearer of the green jacket, is four back. “Every time I come back here I feel like I have a chance to win so hopefully next year it is 10th time lucky”. I’m right handed. I could see the right edge on the tower, but my ball, the actual shot wasn’t blocked. “I don’t think anyone is going to put themselves far enough out front where they can cruise in”.

Pieters moved to the top by hitting off the pine straw and over a tributary of Rae’s Creek to 12 feet for eagle on No. 13, and he followed with a wedge to four feet for birdie on the 14th to shoot 68.

He said the results weren’t shocking, “just a little weird”. It’s about staying patient. An excellent chip from there led to a birdie for Garcia.