Paul Casey also puts down an early marker in the third round
Saturday 7 April 2018 20:57, UK
England's Matt Fitzpatrick was an early mover in wet conditions on Saturday as he climbed the leaderboard during the third round at the Masters.
Fitzpatrick made the cut with nothing to spare on five over and was one over after six holes, but birdied the seventh, eighth, 12th and 14th and eagled the 15th, following a superb approach shot, for a five-under 67.
That matched his lowest score in the Masters in the final round in 2016 and took the 23-year-old from Sheffield back to level par overall.
He said: "I just think the course was a little bit more there for the taking, really.
"The greens were softer and I just felt like it was easier to get at a few flags maybe, just because you could stop it.
"The first two days I've actually drove it brilliant all week, just not really hit the irons close. So I had a few longer irons than most people in and the flags are tucked and the greens are firm, so I think just that weather's just made it a fraction easier.
"Obviously it was nice to get out there and make a score. It would have been nice to have picked up two more and sit in the clubhouse at under par, you never know what then happens.
"But I'm delighted with my round and glad that I got it in this morning."
The odd number of players making the cut meant Paul Casey was playing alongside marker and Augusta National member Jeff Knox, who famously outscored Rory McIlroy in the same situation in 2014.
Casey, who hit 74 and 75 to be five over after the first two rounds, enjoyed himself as he carded a three-under 69, featuring birdies at the sixth, ninth, 13th and 18th, with only one bogey at the seventh.
He said: "It was great fun. I've played with markers before, but that was the best experience I've ever had with a marker.
"I didn't pick his brain too much today. I mean the clubs we were hitting were very different. But I've got a pretty good grasp of this place. If I played with him enough there would be a lot of things I can glean from his golf game, for sure. But today I played very nicely.
"The first two days was some of the toughest stuff I've seen around here. I've always approached this place understanding that it's one of the ultimate tests, so I don't mind when it's excruciatingly difficult, because they never cross the line, in fairness.
"But it was two of the least enjoyable days, because of my lack of ball‑striking that I've had at Augusta National. And today was a complete antithesis. It was an absolute joy to stroll around."
Speaking about the hip injury which has been hampering him this week, the 40-year-old added: "The hip has been very tight. It's frustrating because I haven't been able to fix it."
