Leaders on the move, but van Rooyen struggles at the Masters

SPORT

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The only remaining South African left in the field, Eric van Rooyen, had a day to forget at the Augusta Masters, returning to the clubhouse at nine-over-par, with any hope of a green jacket gone.

Pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler birdied the 18^th hole to be a shot clear of the rest heading into the final day at the Masters.

Several names were moving up and down the leaderboard throughout the day, with the lead hovering between five and seven-under par as all players gained and dropped shots.

Colin Morikawa (six-under par) and Max Homa (five-under-par) are the nearest challengers, but the remaining 11 players under-par will feel in contention if things go their way on Sunday.

READ: Van Rooyen makes the cut at US Masters

The troublesome wind from Friday died down on Saturday, but South Africa’s van Rooyen was fighting himself in round three, in particular his drives off the tee.

Van Rooyen said:

 He bogeyed the seventh hole after his drive veered right and into the pine trees, from which he had to hit out to get a clear shot at the green, a chip and two putts for bogey.

He pulled his drive left from the 10^th tee, causing a tricky second shot with a tree in his line, then overshooting the green meant a chip and two putts for another bogey.

It went from bad to worse on the 18^th as again he sliced it right into the trees of the dog-leg right hole, forcing van Rooyen to hit out the trees to lay up to the green. A 39-foot putt got him to within four feet but he then missed from the short distance to end his round on a double-bogey.

“The greens were faster than yesterday, there was a bit less wind to deal with.”

Despite this being his third appearance at Augusta, it was his first time making the cut and playing on the weekend, as last year he missed the cut and the year before that he pulled out due to injury.

He was proud to be the only player to represent South Africa on the weekend after Charl Schwartzel and Christo Lamprecht both missed the cut.

READ: South Africans throw caution to the wind at the Masters

Van Rooyen had strong ambitions all week after playing decent golf, on the opening days.

He will play the final round tomorrow starting well away from the leaders' scores at nine-over-par, but van Rooyen still wants to show his best abilities.

“I’ll try and lick the wounds tonight and go try and find some momentum tomorrow.”

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