US Masters Golf Day three review- Scheffler sees his lead cut- Smith nearest challenger

World number one Scottie Scheffler remains in contention to lift his first major at the 2022 Masters, as he goes into the final round with a lead of three shots

Despite a bumpy back nine, which included four bogies in the final seven holes, the 25-year-old American is on the brink of his first-ever Masters victory.

However, as we have all seen in the past, the challenging course at Augusta is known to have sprung many a surprise on the final round.

Australia’s Cameron Smith is the nearest challenger to Scheffler on six under after carding an impressive 68, the lowest round of the day.

One stat that will stand firm in the American’s favour as he tees off later tonight UK time is that in the last 26 of 31 Masters, the champion has come from the final group, which will also give Smith some encouragement.

South Korea’s Im- the leader on the opening day- is still in the hunt but is two shots further back on four under. However, don’t rule the Korean out as he has already finished runner up back in 2020 and will be desperate to go one better.

Ireland’s 2019 Open champion, Shane Lowry is in the mix at two under despite a poor back nine yesterday. South African Charl Schwartzel is on the leader board with Lowry, and is a winner of the Green Jacket back in 2011.

The emotional ride for Tiger Wood’s hopes of a big finish in the Masters seems to have ended after the five-time champion carded the worst Masters round of his career with a six over 78 on a freezing day at Augusta.

England’s hopes rest firmly on the shoulder of Danny Willett- a previous winner back in 2016- who will go into the final round on level par.

Fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood is on one over alongside Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy who shot a 71.

Lee Westwood is three over after shooting a 73, with compatriot Matt Fitzpatrick four over after a round of 76.

Scotland’s Robert Macintyre is six over for the tournament after a 76 yesterday. England’s Tyrrel Hatton shot his worst Masters score since his opening round of 2017, and remains on nine over.

But it will be all eyes on Scheffler who has already won three tournaments in his last five starts. The victories have enabled him to overtake Spain’s Jon Rahm as the World’s number one golfer.

The burning question on everybody’s lips will be, can the American hold his nerve, or will he stumble and allow one of the chasing pack to hunt him down and claim the craved Green Jacket?

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