A Masters lead for Scheffler, an 82 for Tiger

AUGUSTA, Ga. — This was the Masters in all its glorious — and agonizing — inconsistency with shots missed and leads lost. Going into the final round, nothing was certain except Tiger Woods had his highest round ever here, a 12-over par 82.

The TV guys love to call Saturday “moving day” at tournaments, but with the way things went if any of the contenders, or Tiger, moved, it was to tears.

The scoreboards spread across the immersive landscape of Augusta National Golf Club had more number changes than at a race track pari-mutuel machine.

A Danish pro you’re probably not familiar with, Niccolai Hojgaard, temporarily grabbed first with birdies at 8, 9 and 10 and then, whoops, dropped out of sight and practically off the board by making bogies at 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Then it was Collin Morikawa, the Cal alum, briefly in front. Finally, at least for moving day, it was the 2022 Masters champion, Scottie Scheffler, shooting a 1-under par 71 and at 7-under 209, ahead of Morikawa, 69-210, while Max Homa, the other Cal guy, had a 73, is at 211.

Hojgaard came in at 74 for 214. A roller coaster ride.

Something Woods wouldn’t have minded, no one expected Tiger to win — other than Tiger at least — but no one, after Tiger rallied with a 72 Friday to make the cut, figured he would play so poorly.

Still, he is 48, and he hasn’t played very much because of the injuries. His body won’t do what he wants it to do, a problem that confronts so many as the years go on.

To his credit and to the delight of his fans, and CBS television, Woods vowed to play Sunday said a few days ago he’s a fighter, and fighters keep fighting

“I wouldn’t necessarily say mental reps. It’s just that I haven’t competed and played much. When I had chances to get it flipped around and when I made that putt at 5, I promptly three-putted 6 and flubbed a chip at 7 and just got it going the wrong way, and when I had the opportunities to flip it, I didn’t.”

Asked if Friday, when he played nearly a round and ½ wore him out physically, Woods said, “Oh, yeah, it did.”

Scheffler is where a younger Tiger used to be, the favorite and No.1 in the world rankings. He knows the tournament and knows how to succeed.

“I think I have a better understanding of what morning is like (Sunday), I’m proud of how I played today. It was a good fight out there.”

One Scheffler seems prepared to win. One Tiger was destined to lose.