Jonas Blixt and Thomas Bjorn play to buck Masters trends

Jonas Blixt is in position to break Masters Tournament trends as he enters his first Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Blixt shot 1-under 71 in the third round Saturday and is one stroke back of co-leaders Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson, at 4-under overall.

He will play with Matt Kuchar in the next-to-last pairing today.

Blixt, a 29-year-old Swede, is hoping to become the first European to win the Masters since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.

If he slips on the green jacket today, he will also be the first to do so in his inaugural Augusta National appearance since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

“This is where I want to be,” Blixt said. “I want to have a chance on Sunday. That’s what I play for. I can’t be unhappy about that.”

Blixt birdied four holes Saturday. He said putting has been key for him so far, and that’s backed by the numbers. He is tied for fifth in average putts per hole and has yet to three-putt this week.

“I’m putting really well right now,” he said. “I feel like almost everything in my bag is working well. If I can put the ball in the fairway tomorrow, I think I’ll be dangerous.”

Blixt played with fellow Scandinavian Thomas Bjorn, a Denmark native who shot 1-over 73 on Saturday and is three strokes back of the leaders.

Bjorn played steady golf in the third round, with two birdies on the first nine and three bogeys on the second nine. He said the first 10 holes were probably the best he’s played at Augusta National.

“I’m still in there with a chance,” Bjorn said. “I’m going to try to play 18 holes like I did the first 10 (Saturday) and hole a few putts.”

Blixt said he and Bjorn share a lot, making the day enjoyable for them.

“His wife is Swedish, so it made it a lot easier to talk to him,” Blixt said “He’s a great guy. I like him a lot. We have some friends in common and talked a little about them and life and back home. It was really nice.”