Scottie Scheffler caught alight with a breathtaking five-under par front nine as Rory McIlroy wobbled on the opening hole of the third round of The Masters.
After starting the weekend even par, world No.1 Scheffler made eagle at the par 5 second before stringing together a hat-trick of birdies to close out the front nine in 31.
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Scheffler then added another birdie at 11 to move within striking distance of McIlroy after starting the day 12 shots back.
Defending champion McIlroy’s record six-shot buffer he held overnight halved after only three holes.
The career grand slam winner failed to get up-and-down from the back of the first green and made bogey.
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The first hole has caused McIlroy grief throughout his Masters career – he double bogeyed it in the final round last year and has played it in 16-over par across his 18 appearances at Augusta National.
He earned the dropped shot back, however, with a birdie at the third after driving the green on the par 4.
Patrick Reed, who started the day six-under, is now charging towards McIlroy as the 2018 champion opened his round in a dream fashion with a trio of birdies.
Although, a bogey at the fourth was a setback.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Jason Day bogeyed the first but responded with a birdie at the second.
He remains even par for the day and 4-under overall after seven holes.
Adam Scott is already in the clubhouse, having shot 70 to reach even par for the tournament.
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