Hideki Matsuyama takes Masters lead, ace helps Conners make a charge
Canadian sinks hole-in-1, enters final round in 6th place
Eighty-seven years after a Canadian recorded a hole-in-one in the very first Masters, Corey Conners matched the feat during the third round at Augusta National on Saturday.
The effort, the sixth ever ace at the sixth hole in the Masters, helped set up Conners for a possible chance of becoming the second player from north of the border to clinch a Green Jacket, after Mike Weir in 2003.
Weir was in the gallery on Saturday proudly wearing his jacket after missing the cut the previous day.
Conners, 29, in his fourth Masters, goes into the final round five strokes behind Japanese leader Hideki Matsuyama.
WATCH | Conners aces par-3 6th hole on Saturday at Augusta:
Conners married judgment and execution for his ace, using an eight-iron and landing his ball about 10 yards in front of the cup at Augusta National. It took three bounces before rolling in for the first ace there since 2013.
"It was a little draw, turning at the pin. I think I hit the pin with a little bit of steam, but it was right in the middle, so a pretty special moment," Conners said.
But luck was not on his side this time, as his ball ricocheted 15 feet away, leading to a closing two-putt par and a four-under-par 68.
Despite his lofty position, Conners was not worried about tossing and turning all night.
"I'm notoriously a great sleeper, so I don't think that will be a problem," he said.
The name of the Canadian to make that ace back in 1934: Ross Somerville at the 16th hole.
Matsuyama in control
Meanwhile Matsuyama showed he could handle Augusta National when he first showed up as a 19-year-old amateur. Ten years later, the Japanese star put himself on the cusp of a green jacket Saturday at the Masters.
In a stunning turnaround after storms doused the course, Matsuyama had four birdies, an eagle and a superb par at the end of a 7-under 65, turning a three-shot deficit into a four-shot lead as he tries to become the first Japanese player to win a major.
"This is a new experience for me being a leader going into the final round in a major," Matsuyama said. "I guess all I can do is relax and prepare well and do my best."
WATCH | Canadian golfers heading to the green in droves during pandemic:
Matsuyama was at 11-under 205, and no one could stay with him after the delay. It lasted 1 hour 18 minutes because of dangerous weather and just enough rain fell that crusty Augusta National was a little more forgiving.
He hit what he said was his worst shot of the day right before the delay, a tee shot into the trees on the right. He punched a 7-iron out to 20 feet for birdie and was on his way.
The break brought the Masters to life, and at times it was hard to keep up.
Xander Schauffele ran in a 60-foot eagle putt across the 15th green to momentary join a four-way tie for the lead. Seconds later, Justin Rose holed a 25-foot birdie putt back on the par-3 12th to regain the lead. That lasted as long as it took Matsuyama to rap in his five-foot eagle putt on the 15th to take the lead for good.
But after that, no one could catch Matsuyama. When the round ended, Schauffele (68), Rose (72), Marc Leishman (70) and Masters rookie Will Zalatoris (71) were all at 7-under 209.
Jordan Spieth was within two shots of the lead despite a double bogey on the seventh hole, but he couldn't keep pace and shot 72 to fall six shots behind.
Matsuyama will play in the final group with Schauffele, a comfortable pairing. Schauffele's mother was raised in Japan and he speaks enough Japanese to share a few laughs with Matsuyama during Saturday's pairing.
Matsuyama rarely can go anywhere on the PGA Tour without a dozen or more Japanese media following. Their numbers are limited this year because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
"Being in front of the media is still difficult. It's not my favourite thing to do," Matsuyama said through his interpreter. "It's been a lot less stress for me. I've enjoyed this week."
With files from The Associated Press
