Hot Steele early in Masters final

Garcia has been accepting of the course’s flaws and unpredictable nature. The Gold Medal will pair nicely with the Green Jacket.

Garcia, 37, will have an opportunity to claim his long-awaited first major title on Sunday in his 19th Masters.

McIlroy was only six shots behind, but he had 10 players ahead of him – Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth, enough of them to make it hard to expect all of them to stumble on Sunday.

“New experience for me coming from behind on Sunday at the Masters, which is kind of fun to say”, Spieth said. “I’ll be able to tell you better tomorrow night whether those missed opportunities hurt my chances”.

“You’ve got some studs up there”, said Spieth, looking at the leaderboard.

If he goes 4-for-4 with birdies on the par-5s on Sunday, a green jacket might be awaiting him. “But I had confidence that I would have my run”, said Englishman Rose. “They didn’t give up, felt the momentum and when the momentum was on their side they ran with it and continued to press and get better and better”. That group included former Masters champions Adam Scott (69) and Charl Schwartzel (68). “Everyone has a story line”.

He’ll be looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s Masters collapse, which saw him go six strokes over par on the final nine holes and essentially iron and press the green jacket for England’s Danny Willett. Garcia is certainly the only player to have broken par every day, he leads the field in bogey avoidance, and as well as being first in ball-striking he’s fourth in scrambling.

“I’m going to need to probably play the round of my life tomorrow to have a chance”, said McIlroy, who shot 65 in the 2011 first round and 66 on Sunday in 2015. The popular American shot four birdies and three bogeys for a 71, and sole third place. “I’m happy where I’m at”.

Posting the best round of the day, Rose went 5-under on Saturday and proved that he could tame Augusta National at its fastest.

“Jose sent me a lovely message on Wednesday night, and you know, he has a good touch when it comes down to those things”.

Spieth, who also captured the 2015 US Open, was a Masters runner-up a year ago after a Sunday back-nine meltdown.

“This tournament was just not for me”, said the South African, a Masters runner-up in 2000 and 2004.

Garcia is playing in his 74th major. He’s had his chances in the four majors, too, particularly in 2014 when he was among the top five at all four majors, including a tie for fifth behind victor Bubba Watson at Augusta National. Yes, Sergio Garcia is on the verge of his first major title, and other talented players like Justin Rose and Fowler are in the mix.

But Garcia made his five footer for birdie to move to to seven under and a one-shot lead on Justin Rose.

In fact, since 2012, Rose has made more birdies and eagles around Augusta than anybody else – Rory McIlroy is second on that list.

“It’s good to have a good wife when you have something like that happen”, he said of his forgettable first two rounds.

Jordan Spieth (-4) – +315 – How are you going to argue with this number for the King of Augusta National.

Garcia has gone a combined 38-over par to average 75 in 13 prior Masters third rounds. His 70 Sunday was just his third score of par or better on a Saturday at Augusta. “I was a little frustrated”.

“Rickie, of all the guys on the (PGA) Tour, has got a great attitude and a great personality”, Bogdanovich said. Spieth is 3-1, Fowler 4-1 and Garcia 9-2.

Spieth put himself in position to continue his extraordinary record at the Masters, which he won in 2015 and finished tied second in 2014 and 2016.

About all that is remaining to fill out Garcia’s world-class resume is a major.