2020 Masters: Dustin Johnson equals 54-hole record to take control

Dustin Johnson began his assault on Augusta National with a five-iron for a tap-in eagle, and he never gave up until he equaled the 54-hole Masters record and built a four-shot lead to put himself in prime position for another major. .

Johnson has been in this position before and plans to build on his experience.

Not since the 82 he shot at Pebble Beach at the 2010 US Open. Not the triple from 12 feet on a bumpy 18 green that cost him at Chambers Bay. Not even the one-time advantage he lost three months ago at Harding Park. They were among the four times he had at least part of the 54-hole lead in an unconverted major.

Talk about the last three days at Augusta National. It was a masterful performance.

“If I can play like I did, I think I’ll break that streak,” Johnson said. “It’s only 18 holes of golf. I need to get out there and play solid. I feel like I’m balancing really well. If I can keep giving myself a lot of birdie looks, I think I’ll have a good day.”

A third round that started with 10 players separated by a shot turned into a one-man show. The number one player in the world was in all respects with a seven under 65, walking away with the eagle and two birdies in the first four holes, almost punching a wedge from the seventh fairway, handling the pair five in the last nine with birdies. of two putts and passing the last 30 holes without bogey.

He was 16 under par, matching the 54 hole record set by Jordan Spieth in 2015 when he won the Masters by four shots over Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose.

The cast of challengers is not that experienced. Two of them are Masters rookies. Sungjae Im, the supreme South Korean forward who won his first PGA Tour title two weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic shut down golf in the spring, birdied the last hole for 68. Abraham Ancer of Mexico he saved the pair at 18 for a 69. Joining them at 204 under 12 was Australia’s Cameron Smith, who had 12 consecutive pairs before making three birdies in a row and then closing with three scrambled pairs for a 69.

“He’s been there a number of times and he’s number one in the world,” Ancer said. “I think he’s right where he wants to be. We know we have to go down, and that’s it. It’s very simple. If a DJ comes out and plays really solid, it will be practically impossible to catch him. It has to be done out there it has to be quite special.”

Still, there is enormous pressure on Johnson due to his track record. He has not converted two 54-hole leads, nor has he won two majors where he shared the 54-hole lead. His only major was the 2016 US Open when he bounced back from four shots behind at Oakmont.
Johnson, who had to miss two tournaments after testing positive for the coronavirus a month ago, still made it to the Masters after winning twice, finishing runner-up three times and tying for sixth at the U.S. Open.

“I feel very comfortable with leadership. I’ve been in this situation many times,” Johnson said. “I am looking forward to the challenge. It will still be a difficult day. I will have to play well if I want to do it.”

Defending champion Tiger Woods will stay to present the green jacket, and will have to leave his at Augusta National until he returns. Woods was four under par over 10 holes to start the Masters, and he made just one more shot over the next 44 holes. He finished 71 in the second round, had 72 in the third round and was 11 shots behind.

The score has been low all week. The 36-hole cut was on par, the lowest in Masters history, another update to the club’s record book.

Still ahead of Johnson is a chance to set the 72-hole record. All he cares about is a green jacket, and given his past experience, he knows he shouldn’t look forward.

– AP