Defending champion Adam Scott has dropped a shot on the par four 1st, which isn't exactly a statement of intent. The Aussie is bidding to become only the fourth player in Masters history t successfully defend the title after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and some bloke called Tiger Woods.
Contenders and playing partners Thomas Bjorn and Jonas Blixt both par the first.
Jimenez pars 17 & 18 to record a six under 66 for the day, which is the best round of the tournament to date. He's still four shots adrift of Watson but fair play to the unconventional 50-year-old, he's given the leaders something to think about.
My buddy Brian and Louis O. at The Masters.
It's high time I mention Gary Woodland who has just finished his day's work with a very impressive 69 to leave himself three under after 54 holes. It could have been a 68 but the American conspired to throw in a bogey on the 18th. He did however treat us all to a wonderful eagle on the par three third earlier in the day.
Meltdown alert? Watson bogeys the first.
John Senden, who's playing with Watson, also drops a shot on the first. The lead pair are apparently a touch jittery.
Watson still has a three shot cushion over the rest of the field but in the cauldron that is Majors golf, that could evaporate rapidly.
A brief hiatus in proceedings as our leading protagonists all seem to take a collective pause for breath and throw in a succession of pars. Who's going to produce the next surge?
Justin Rose reflects on his day's work.
lucky at 15. Those of us in the clubhouse are in the hands of the leaders, but I am in a much better place than I was on Thursday."
Blixt drops his first shot of the day on the 11th to drop to four under. Westwood safely pars the 18th to record a two under round of 70 and give himself something to shoot at on Sunday.
Just relaxin #masters #DoItAgainBubba #mastersgolf bring it home again Bubba!!!!
Can't wait for tomorrow no idea who's going to win The Masters with so many people in the hunt!
With all the remaining players on the back nine, Jimenez's 66 earlier looks unlikely to be eclipsed. The worst round of the day so far? That dubious honour unfortunately goes Brandt Snedeker who hacked his way around Augusta in an eight over par 80. Ouch.
Watson comes up short with a birdie putt on the par three 12th and stays at six under.
Another #Masters history nugget: Today is the 50-year anniversary of Arnold Palmer becoming the first four-time champion in Masters history.
Kuchar hits the hole with a long range putt on the 18th but it doesn't go in. It's a dropped shot and his day's work is done. It's a round of 68, four under. He's also four under for he tournament and now a serious contender for the Green Jacket tomorrow.
...yes, spurned chance there. Two great drives but a dismal three putt and it's only par.
Birdie for Senden on 13 and the Aussie is beginning to repair some of the self-inflicted damage of hid opening seven holes when he dropped five shots in rapid succession. He's still two over for the day but two under for the tournament.
Watson wallops it off the tee at 14 and, as usual, the ball seems to defy the laws of physics, gravity and golf and just keeps flying. Bubba can hit a serious ball.
Spieth sinks his birdie putt on 15 and he emerges from the pack to go five under and second on the leader board, just one shot adrift of Watson.
We're nearing the end of the day and barring some real pyrotechnics or a meltdown, we're going to get an intriguing final day's golf with perhaps 15 players who will believe they have can win The Masters.
Stephen Gallacher leaves the course after recording a disastrous nine over par 81. Four double bogeys did for the Scotsman today.
At the @valerotxopen , Jordan Spieth told us scribes the Masters was just another week. That raised a few eyebrows; guess that mindset works.
Blixt back in form with a birdie on 15th. That's the Swede's first birdie since the 9th.