The Masters at Augusta always guarantees compelling television on an annual basis, and the 2017 tournament is shaping up to be another thriller, with a quartet of players tied for the lead on 4 under par.
The leaders are Spain's Sergio Garcia, Americans Rickie Fowler and Charley Hoffman, and Belgium's Thomas Pieters.
Garcia is now 37 and still waiting for that first major crown. He's posted 22 top 10s in majors in his career and is probably too good to be another Colin Montgomerie and not win one. The Spaniard is in a happy place in his personal life and that has translated into his recent play. He won in Dubai and his tee to green play is as sure as ever. Augusta is a course that he has moaned about in the past, but with a positive mental equilibrium and par 5 holes to present opportunities, he has every chance if his putter behaves.
Fowler is very well positioned now. He's a recent winner at the Honda Classic and posted top 5s in all majors back in 2014, so he has the experience, but not the scars. He showed fantastic bottle to win the Players Championship in 2015 and if he can iron out some silly mistakes and dial back the aggression, he is ready to finish the job.
Hoffman was 10 shots worse on Friday than Thursday, and it's difficult to see his confidence holding. Pieters is the wildcard. A rookie hasn't won the Masters since 1979, but the 25 year old Belgian bomber didn't betray any nerves in the Ryder Cup and holds the raw talent to win. Will talent trump experience? He certainly looks fearless and his weekend performance will be fascinating to see.
Former U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and Ryan Moore have been around the block a few times and may make a move from 1 under, the mark where Jon Rahm lies. Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson have all won the green jacket before and they all rest on level par. A 65 from any of them on Saturday is not out of the question.
With conditions expected to ease, the only Irishman remaining in the field, Rory McIlroy, will have to make something happen from 1 over par. I would expect one of the leaders to shoot in the 60s, so that means McIlroy has no margin for error if he is to contend for the title. He needs to bring his 'A' game and unleash his talent with a low round today to get himself into position for the final 18 holes.
