AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler shot a 31 on the front nine at Augusta National on Saturday as the field at the Masters began the tall task of trying to chase down leader Rory McIlroy.
It was the best first nine of Scheffler’s seven Masters appearances, which includes two victories. And after adding another birdie on No. 11, the world No. 1 had cut his 12-stroke deficit behind McIlroy in half. But McIlroy hadn’t even teed off yet.
McIlroy entered the day at 12 under par, with a record six-shot lead through 36 holes over Patrick Reed and Sam Burns. Scheffler was 12 back at even par, but then he knocked his second shot to 6 feet on the par-5 second and eagled it.
He finished the front nine with birdies on Nos. 7, 8 and 9 — and could have scored even better if he hadn’t missed a 7-foot birdie putt on No. 3.
Don’t miss what everyone in town is talking about.
Join 4,000+ locals and choose our free newsletter covering news, events and the stories shaping our region.
