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Posted April 9, 2017, 12:23 am
BY
David Lee
|
Staff Writer

Scott remains in Masters contention after clean round

  • Article Photos
    Scott remains in Masters contention after clean round
    Photos description

    Adam Scott reacts after his putt goes past the hole on #7 during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)

  • Article Photos
    Scott remains in Masters contention after clean round
    Photos description
    Adam Scott reacts after a chip on No. 13 during the third round of the Masters Tournament. The 2013 champ shot 69 on Saturday and is three shots behind the leaders.
  • Article Photos
    Scott remains in Masters contention after clean round
    Photos description

    Adam Scott plays a shot from a bunker on the second hole during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Augusta, Georgia. (MICHAEL HOLAHAN/STAFF)

Adam Scott knows what it’s like to come from behind on the final day of the Masters Tournament, and he’ll need another special Sunday round to pull off a comeback.

Scott shot a second consecutive 3-under-par 69 in the third round Saturday and is three strokes back.

While the deficit is small enough to overcome in one day, Scott acknowledged the “pedigree” of the leaderboard is strong.

PHOTOS: Scott's Saturday Surge

“I’m plenty close,” Scott said. “It’s just there’s great players in front and conditions like this, if they’re like this tomorrow, it’s going to be hard, because you’re going to have to make it happen. I’m just going to need a round of the year for me.”

Scott put together that round in 2013 when he shot a third 69 for the week to come from behind. He beat Angel Cabrera in a playoff.

The 36-year-old has been among the best this week in hitting greens and living around the hole. It hasn’t always translated into birdies, but he played a clean, bogey-free third round.

“I putted beautifully today,” he said. “A couple of my good putts somehow didn’t drop, and you just have to keep doing the same thing and, tomorrow, will them all in. If I can shoot 66 or 65, it’s really possible out here.”

Scott’s round started well with a birdie on No. 2 by hitting a bunker shot to five feet. He hit the green in two on No. 8 and two-putted for birdie, and again took advantage of a par-5 on No. 13 by sinking a 12-foot birdie putt.

If Scott’s standing holds through Sunday, it would be his first top-10 finish since winning in 2013. He’s already posted multiple rounds in the 60s for the first time since that year, making it a promising Masters for Scott regardless of his final round.

“I’m going out there with no pressure tomorrow,” he said. “Playing really well tee to green, feeling really good on the greens, I just have to piece together a smart front nine and keep myself there. It’s going to be an exciting day tomorrow.”

 

Reach David Lee at (706) 823-3216 or david.lee@augustachronicle.com.

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