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AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) – Three of golf’s greatest weapons were attacked by rampant Dustin Johnson when Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Tiger Woods found themselves out of reach after the third round at the Masters on Saturday.
McIlroy and Koepka were eight shots behind Johnson, the 200 leader at 16-under, while Woods was 11 off the pace at Augusta National.
McIlroy needs the Masters to complete a career grand slam of the four modern majors, but declared his 2020 quest to be nearly dead.
“I have no thoughts on winning this golf tournament at the moment,” said the Northern Irishman, who shot himself in the foot with a first round of 75, followed by 66 and 67.
“The good golf was there, I just didn’t allow myself to play like that in the first 18 holes,” he added.
“This course can make you a little careful and a little tentative at times. I’ve always said that I play my best golf when I’m freer and more confident, and I’ve been so much freer over the last 36 holes.
Koepka, winner of four major championships in the previous three years, two US Open and two PGA championships, said he would do his best Sunday.
“You have to shoot a low number. I think that’s pretty obvious. Come out, play well, see what happens,” said the 30-year-old American, who is battling a knee injury.
Woods stunned the golf world last year with a thrilling triumph for his fifth Masters crown and 15th major.
He entered this year’s tournament with high hopes but found the wear and tear of playing extra holes to catch up after the weather-delayed first round on Thursday was hard to beat.
“These are long days,” said Woods, 44, who fired a 72, hampered by a surgically repaired back. “It’s just part of the deal. If you have long days like this, I’m going to get a little sore, which I definitely do.
“I can walk all day. The hard part is bending and twisting. I think that’s part of the game, so it’s always been the challenge with my back problems and I guess it always will be.”
(Reporting by Andrew Both; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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