Saturday's Birdies and Bogeys

By Alex Myers

April 06, 2012

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Birdie: Phil MickelsonIt wasn't quite his near back-to-back-to-back eagles on holes 13-15 in the third round two years ago, but Mickelson's third-round charge was reminiscent of the last time he took home the green jacket. This time, he made birdies at 10 and 12 in that stretch, curled in a 25-footer for eagle on No. 13 and then converted a birdie putt on 15 after a gutsy flop shot from behind the green. Despite being four over at one point during his opening round, Mickelson has played the last 44 holes at Augusta in 12 under.

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Bogey: Rory McIlroySo much for exorcising last year's Augusta demons with a victory at the U.S. Open. McIlroy showed on Saturday he's still susceptible to another Masters clunker. Starting with a double bogey on the first hole and continuing through a painful afternoon, McIlroy ended up shooting 77 and moved in the wrong direction. At least he didn't wait until Sunday this time.

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Birdie: Louis OosthuizenThe 2010 British Open champion -- he of the barely detectable heart rate -- is making a bid to be more than a one-major wonder. The South African certainly has the temperament for major-championship pressure. Unfazed after a disastrous front nine Friday morning, Oosthuizen rallied to get back into contention with a 69. He might not be the most exciting player, but that's what makes him so dangerous.

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Birdie: Fred CouplesHe played his first five holes in four over par, worked his way back into contention after consecutive birdies at Amen Corner, then saw his chances fizzle when he found the water on the par-5 15th. The first two days were magical for the 52-year-old Couples, who was looking for another Masters win 20 years after capturing his first. But a 75 on Saturday suggests the magic goes only so far.

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Birdie: Matt KucharThe world got its first glimpse of Kuchar (and his father, who caddied for him) in 1998 when he briefly contended at Augusta as an amateur star from Georgia Tech. Surprisingly, that T-21 remains his best Masters finish, but after a Saturday 70, Kuchar is in position to fare much better. A birdie on 18 moved Kuchar to within four shots of the lead at five-under par. With a player who has prided himself on his consistency, don't be surprised if he hangs around late into Sunday.

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Bogey: Sergio GarciaIt appears the question of when or if Garcia will win a major will linger a bit longer after a rough Saturday, when he bogeyed three of the first four holes on his way to a 75. Still, Garcia was able to share a light moment with his playing partner, Rory McIlroy, who also had a miserable day. After holing a putt for birdie, he tracked McIlroy down so the two could give each other a hug. After another day of Masters disappointment, both certainly needed it.

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Birdie: Hunter MahanWhen you're hot, you're hot. Mahan came into this tournament as the only multiple-event winner on the PGA Tour in 2012, with two wins in the past six weeks. After an indifferent start, he found that form again, with his 68 vaulting him up the leader board at four-under par. Perhaps it was another Sean Foley student who was the favorite to win this week. But this season, it has been Mahan who has been making the swing coach look good.

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Bogey: Tiger WoodsEven as he took time to apologize for his club-kicking incident on Friday, Woods had to answer for another petulant display in the third round, when he slammed his driver on the 13th tee box after pulling his drive left. It's been that kind of week. After birdies on two of his first three holes, Woods struggled most of the rest of the way en route to a 72, locking up another irrelevant time slot on Sunday.

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Birdie: Peter HansonPhil Mickelson might have drawn the loudest roars from the patrons, but no one has played Augusta National better than the 54-hole leader, whose 65 Saturday was the low round of the week. The big Swede isn't a big name in the United States, but he certainly has the game to contend, making a convincing statement in his second appearance at Augusta National. Other than Rory McIlroy, Hanson is the only player to finish in the top five in each of the first two World Golf Championships. No matter how he finishes, this week's performance should at least help distinguish this Hanson from Soren and Anders Hansen in the mind of the casual golf fan.

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