Event of the Day: The Masters

Our event of the day is the final day of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The standings are incredibly tight as the golfers prepare for a final run through the course’s iconic eighteen holes. Francesco Molinari leads the field at thirteen under par. However, this only puts him two strokes ahead of Americans Tony Finau and Tiger Woods. With thunderclouds adding an additional hazard, be sure you don’t miss the exciting conclusion to the first Major of the year. As expected, Moving Day provided much excitement as the Masters continued through a particularly humid day in Georgia. The day had begun with a five-way tie for first place but ended with only a single name atop the standings, Francesco Molinari. Molinari, the incumbent European Tour champion, had a phenomenal day on the course. On his way to a round of 66, six under par at Augusta, he hit four consecutive birdies between the twelfth and fifteenth holes. Added to the Italian’s first round of 70 and second round of 67, this performance means that Molinari will enter the final day of the competition thirteen under par. This is made all the more impressive given that Molinari is not known until last year for his majors prowess. He has one Major title to his name, the Open in 2018, and his previous best at Augusta was a t-19th finish in 2012. However, the title is far from his yet. Tied for second at eleven under par are the Americans Tony Finau and Tiger Woods.

Finau tied the course record of thirty strokes on the front nine as he hit birdies on holes one through three and an eagle on the eighth. He finished with a round of 64, which helped erase some of the burden created by his 71-stroke first round and 70-stroke second round. Fianu was one of three golfers to record a third round of 64, the first time in the history of the competition that three rounds of sixty-four strokes or better were shot on the same day. Meanwhile Woods, a four-time champion in Augusta, has methodically worked his way up the standings. After a two under par first round, a four under par second round saw him end Friday tied for sixth place. Despite starting the third round one-over through the first five holes, six birdies helped Woods join Finau in joint second. Also still in the hunt is Brooks Kopeka, who currently sits below Finau and Woods in fourth at ten under par. The two-time US Open champion, competing in only his fourth Masters tournament, looks to make his first top-ten finish at Augusta, improving on his personal best of t-11th, achieved in 2017. However it remains to be seen if he has what it takes to challenge the current leaders. The current top ten is rounded out by two golfers at nine under par and five at eight under par, though only two of these men shot under 70 yesterday. There will be additional pressure today as the threat of thunderstorms across the state have prompted organisers to set an initial tee time of 9am, with golfers teeing off in threes. For long-time fans, thunderstorms will be incredibly reminiscent of Tiger Woods’ unforgettable 2005 Masters win. With so much at stake, be sure you don’t miss the final day of action in Augusta.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the Premier League, where Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield. Liverpool hold a two-point lead at the top of the Premiership table, though rivals Manchester City do have a game in hand. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be eager to regain third place in the league. Both sides come into this match after wins in Europe. Liverpool beat Porto in the Champions League while Chelsea overcame Slavia Praha in the Europa League. Both teams are hungry for success this season, Liverpool especially, so be sure you don’t miss this exciting match. Elsewhere, in the NBA, the Houston Rockets host the Utah Jazz at the Toyota Center for game one of their first round playoff series. In Formula 1, the Chinese Grand Prix takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit. In MotoGP, the Americas Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. It’s Day 4 of Surrey versus Essex in County Championship Division One cricket. In Premiership Rugby, Exeter Chiefs host Wasps at Sandy Park. On the ATP Tour, the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters begins at the Monte Carlo Country Club in Monaco. 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy! 

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Photos by The Masters 

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