Senden fights back in tough third round

It was a battle against tough conditions at Augusta National on Saturday for Australian John Senden, who started his round alone in second place, three strokes behind leader Bubba Watson.

The course got the best of the Aussie, but he fought back to put together a round of 75, which kept him in contention.

“It was an up-and-down, rowdy day,” said Senden, who was paired in the final group with Watson. “Bubba was playing some good golf, but I had to stick to my guns … I had to try to swing within. Even though my score was going in the wrong direction, I was still feeling really good about myself. I’m only four off the lead and I still believe that I have a chance (Sunday).”

Sitting in a tie for 10th place at 1-under, Senden feels like he has a puncher’s chance.

Senden had a rough front nine, with bogeys on Nos. 1, 3 and 5. Things got worse at No. 7, where the 42-year-old made double.

But he bounced back with a birdie on the par-5 eighth hole. On the par-4 ninth hole, Senden hit an 8-iron that grazed the cup, giving him a kick-in birdie.

He had bogeys at Nos. 11 and 18, with a birdie at No. 13 that allowed him to keep his head above water.

Senden is looking forward to Sunday’s round, with a chance to win a green jacket.

“Experience has helped me a lot with this course,” said Senden, whose best finish is a tie for 35th last year. “I know how things work around here now.”

Asked what the round of his life would entail, Senden was quick to answer.

“I can’t tell you the exact score of my round, but it would be putting on the green jacket,” he said. “That would be the round of my life.”