Great drama on tap for Masters Sunday

Mike Dudurich

Posted 2009-04-12

MASTERS WRAPUP III SATURDAY: Somebody forgot to tell the players in the 73rd Masters that Saturday is annually known as Moving Day around Augusta National Golf Club. Those at the top of the leaderboard slogged their way through a wonderful late afternoon walk on an absolutely gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell, no doubt, hoped to separate themselves on a day that was made for scoring. Perry continued to be the player most under control this week, finishing with a 2-under par 70. Campbell, on the other hand, stayed right with the elder statesman in this four-day melodrama … for most of the day. Until a misplaced tee shot on the par 3 16th hole, which left him a very difficult bunker shot and led to a costly double bogey.

Campbell, trying to become the 8th Texan to wear a green jacket, finished with an even-par round of 72 after making birdie on the difficult 17th on the heels of the double bogey. He’ll be able to watch the two players ahead of him on the scoreboard all day in the final round. He’ll be in the next -to-last group, while Perry and Argentinian Angel Cabrera will be last off the first tee.

History tells us that 17 of the last 18 champions have come from Sunday’s final pairing, with Zack Johnson in 2007 proving it can be done from elsewhere.

And how does the duo feel after grinding over every shot for four hours on Saturday? "The first two days felt like I was on vacation," Perry said. "Today felt like a job." Cabrera made three birdies on the back nine and, just as importantly, worked hard for an important par on the final hole for 69. "I'm lucky enough to be in a very good position," Cabrera said. "I haven't been in this position before so I'll try to make the most of it."

Cabrera has one major to his credit; Perry is still on the hunt for his. He’d become the oldest major champion in history if he wins tomorrow.

Neither has played in the final group of a major. At 11-under par 205, Perry and Cabrera have recorded the lowest 54-hole score at the Masters since the course was gradually expanded over the last seven years.

But as the final round unfolds on Easter Sunday, this duel in the sun shouldn’t be expected to be a two-man battle. Jim Furyk, Steve Sticker, Rory Sabatini are within a five shots and a busload of players are in at 212, seven shots out of the lead.

Sean O’Hair, Ian Pouter, Lee Westwood, Nick Wanted, Stephen Ames, Hunter Mahan and Anthony Kim are among that group. But there are two others at that number and they will form one of the most-watched groups in the final round. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were expected to make dramatic charges Saturday, but the best they could do was Woods’ 2-under par. Mickelson was 1-under.

"I didn't shoot a 64 or 63 today," Woods said. "Well, actually I did. I just had to play a couple of more holes after that." Mickelson, always the optimist, said there’s hope.

"You're never out of it," Mickelson said. "I need a good round tomorrow, and the golf course is susceptible to that. If you hit some good golf shots, you can attack some pins." His definition of good round is a 64 or 65. Good luck with that.

The players with the earlier times will set the pace with the hope of putting some pressure on the leaders even before they get to the practice range.

Based on the philosophy that Masters Officials have put forth to this point, Sunday’s course setup promises to be such that some birdies and eagles will be made. All that’s required now is for the guys with their names on their golf bags to go out and create those shots that will lead to those birdies and eagles. The back nine on Sunday at Augusta National is a very intense place.

At other times during the week, it is one of the idyllic and picturesque places on earth. But when the image of that coveted green jacket starts becoming more and more vivid as play winds through Amen Corner, it’s a nerve-wracking and meat-grinding place.

And that’s why the final round will be one of the most-watched rounds of golf this season.

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About Mike...
As a sports writer for over 35 years, Mike Dudurich has seen a lot of great things, covered spectacular events, but his passion is, and has been golf. He recently ended a 29-year career at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and will now be a frequent contributor on GolfGearReview.com. Mike hosts a weekly golf radio show on 1250 ESPN in Pittsburgh from the beginning of April through the end of August. The show airs Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. and can be heard online at http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/show?showId=insidepghgolf - Listen to Mike Here!.

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