Augusta: World number one Jason Day has been as patient as he can over the first three rounds of the Masters, but the Australian star is ready for better scoring conditions promised by Sunday’s forecast.
Day sank a 70-foot birdie putt at the 14th hole on his way to a one-under par 71 in Saturday’s third round at Augusta National to share fifth place on level par 216, three shots behind defending champion Jordan Spieth.
But with windy conditions expected to subside for the final round, Day is hoping to be part of a back-nine battle for the green jacket as he was in 2011 and 2013.
“You’ve got to go, ‘OK, I need to show a little bit more patience,’” Day said. “Even though I’m going to have score opportunities, I don’t want to make mistakes. Make birdies when I can, keep pushing forward, because obviously the wind is going to die down and hopefully it’s enough tomorrow.
“But we’ll see how it goes. I mean, Sundays at Augusta are a different story. It’s always fun to play Sunday in contention.”
Spieth can overtake Day for the top ranking spot with a victory Sunday and the Aussie finishing outside the top five.
But Day, who passed Spieth for number one two weeks ago by winning the World Golf Championships Match Play, is more concerned with finally claiming the green jacket.
The 28-year-old Aussie shared second in his 2011 Masters debut and was third two years later, just missing the playoff in which Adam Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters.
Day has been grinding through the brisk breezes on offer at Augusta National since the event began.
“The last three days have been really tough,” Day said.
“It’s always hard to have the lead at a major championship with these conditions, to keep pressing forward.
“So I just kept on saying to myself, ‘Just keep grinding out, just keep trying to get your birdies when you can, minimize mistakes, and just be patient with yourself.’ And today I was very happy with it.”
Day has won six of his past 13 starts, including his first major title at last year’s PGA Championship.
