Scottie Scheffler Leads Masters After Stunning Third Round
Scottie Scheffler Leads Masters After Stunning Third Round...
Scottie Scheffler surged to a four-shot lead at the 2026 Masters Tournament on Saturday, electrifying Augusta National with a bogey-free 65. The world No. 1 is now poised to win his second green jacket in three years, with only Sunday's final round standing between him and golf history.
The 29-year-old Texan carded seven birdies during his third-round masterclass, including three straight on the back nine. His 12-under total (204) broke away from a packed leaderboard that included Rory McIlroy and defending champion Jon Rahm, who both sit at 8-under.
Scheffler's dominance comes amid swirling winds that challenged the field at Augusta. His precision iron play and clutch putting drew roars from the Georgia crowds, particularly on the iconic 16th hole where he nearly aced the par-3. ESPN's broadcast showed his shot tracking directly at the pin before settling three feet away.
Tiger Woods, playing in his first Masters since 2025, carded a 72 and sits at even par. The 50-year-old told reporters he's "just happy to be competing" after multiple back surgeries. Meanwhile, Scheffler's wife Meredith was seen celebrating in the gallery as her husband built his lead.
Golf analysts note Scheffler's lead would be the largest 54-hole advantage at the Masters since Jordan Spieth in 2015. A win Sunday would make him just the fourth player since 2000 to claim multiple green jackets before age 30, joining Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.
The final round begins Sunday at 10:15 AM ET, with Scheffler's group teeing off at 2:50 PM. CBS will broadcast the action, with live streams available on Paramount+ and the Masters app. Tournament officials expect perfect scoring conditions with sunny skies and light winds forecast.
Sportsbooks immediately adjusted odds, making Scheffler a 1-5 favorite. His nearest competitor McIlroy sits at 8-1 as he continues his decade-long quest for the career Grand Slam. Scheffler told CBS: "I'm just trying to stay present. Augusta has a way of humbling you fast."
Social media erupted with Scheffler's highlights, particularly his 207-yard approach on 15 that set up an eagle chance. The shot trended on Twitter with over 85,000 mentions Saturday night. Golf Digest's live tracker showed his driving accuracy at 82%, best in the field.
Local businesses near Augusta National reported record merchandise sales, with Scheffler-branded items moving fastest. The tournament's economic impact is estimated at $120 million for the Augusta area this year, according to the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Should Scheffler hold on Sunday, he would join an elite group of multiple Masters winners before age 30. His 2024 victory came by three strokes over Cameron Smith, a performance he's now threatening to surpass. The last player to win the Masters with four separate rounds in the 60s was Spieth in 2015.
Sunday's final round features several compelling storylines beyond Scheffler's chase. McIlroy seeks his first Masters to complete the career Grand Slam, while Rahm aims to join Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as back-to-back champions. The tournament concludes with the traditional Butler Cabin ceremony at approximately 7 PM ET.
