Woods controversy overshadows round 3

World No.1 granted DQ reprieve as Snedeker and Cabrera hit the front

Reprieved: Tiger Woods was allowed to stay in the Masters Tournament in controversial circumstances

Brandt Snedeker and Angel Cabrera share the lead going into the final round of the Masters following a controversial third day at Augusta National.

Reigning FedEx Cup holder Snedeker and 2009 Masters champion Cabrera head the field on seven-under-par after both players carded rounds of 69. That puts them one shot clear of Adam Scott, who is their nearest challenger on six-under-par, with the Aussie’s compatriots Marc Leishman and Jason Day another shot further back.

WGC-Accenture Matchplay champion Matt Kuchar also had a round of 69 to remain in contention on four-under, with South Africa’s Tim Clark alongside Tiger Woods on three-under.

Should Woods somehow go on to win, it would surely be the most contentious victory of his career after the world No.1 was given an almost unprecedented reprieve for taking a bad drop during his second round.

Woods’ third shot at the 15th hole on Friday clattered off the pin and cannoned back into the pond in front of the green.

Because the hazard was marked by yellow stakes – and was, therefore, not a lateral water hazard – Woods had three options available to him when taking his penalty drop under Rule 26-1.

He could have: played from a designated drop area, which he chose not to do; he could have dropped the ball, keeping the point where it last crossed the margin of the water between the hole and the spot on which the ball would be dropped; or he could have returned to the original spot from which he played his third shot and dropped ‘as nearly as possible’ to his original spot.

The last of these was what Woods chose to go with. However, in his post-round round interview, he told reporters that he had, in fact, intentionally dropped his ball two yards further back from where he believed he had hit his second shot.

That improper drop should have been assessed with a further one-stroke penalty, meaning that Woods should have signed for a 72 rather than a 71.

Masters officials opted to review the incident, with the majority of commentators expecting Woods to be disqualified, the penalty for signing for an incorrect score.

However, officials opted instead to apply a recent reinterpretation of the rules, which saw Woods handed a two-shot penalty instead, meaning he began his final round on one-under-par. The rule revision was implemented to prevent players from being disqualified for signing for an incorrect score when TV pictures showed they had unwittingly broken a rule.

Explaining the decision, Fred Ridley, chairman of the competition committee, said: “After meeting with the player, it was determined that he had violated Rule 26 and he was assessed a two-stroke penalty.

“The penalty of disqualification was waived by the Committee under Rule 33 as the Committee had previously reviewed the information and made its initial determination prior to the finish of the player’s round.”

Woods took to Twitter to explain the matter from his perspective. “At hole #15, I took a drop that I thought was correct and in accordance with the rules. I was unaware at that time I had violated any rules,” wrote the 14-time major winner.

“I didn’t know I had taken an incorrect drop prior to signing my scorecard. Subsequently, I met with the Masters Committee Saturday morning and was advised they had reviewed the incident prior to the completion of my round. Their initial determination was that there was no violation, but they had additional concerns based on my post-round interview.

“After discussing the situation with them this morning, I was assessed a two-shot penalty. I understand and accept the penalty and respect the Committee’s decision.”

Many didn’t, however. Sir Nick Faldo, a three-time Masters champion, was one of many people who insisted that Woods should withdraw voluntarily after the controversial decision not to disqualify him.

Woods, though, said after finishing his third round that pulling out had never been a consideration for him. “I made a mistake, I took an improper drop and got the penalty,” he said. “If it was done a year or two ago, whatever, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. But the rules have changed, and under the rules of golf I was able to play.”

The storm cast something of a shadow over a thrilling third round in the opening men’s major of the season.

Leading the way: Brandt Snedeker shares the 54-hole Masters lead with Angel Cabrera

Co-leader Snedeker will be hoping to convert his wining position into a first major title and will be buoyed by the fact that 19 of the last 22 players to slip on the Green Jacket have come from the final pairing.

“I’ve spent 32 years of my life getting ready for tomorrow and I am 100% sure that I’m ready to handle it, no matter what happens,” said the Tennessean. “I’m going to be disappointed if I don’t win, period.”

Two-time major winner Cabrera, his playing partner for today’s final round, added: “I’m very comfortable. I know what I’ve got to do to be able to get the win.”

The two remaining Scots in the field, Paul Lawrie and Sandy Lyle, both had days to forget. Lawrie carded a three-over 75 to slip to five-over for the tournament, whilst 1988 champion Lyle, who started the day on one-under-par, is now ten-over after a disappointing 81.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor