Erik van Rooyen finished his third round with a double-bogey on Saturday, which characterised a bad day at the office at Augusta National for the only South African left in the field in the Masters.
Van Rooyen also made just a single birdie with five bogeys on his way to a six-over-par 78 as he slipped down to a share of 47th on the leaderboard at nine-over-par. Up ahead, world number one Scottie Scheffler held the lead at seven-under after he too had a double-bogey on the 10th. But Scheffler did Scheffler things and made eagle on 13 as he exited Amen Corner, and he led by one from Collin Morikawa. Max Homa was third on five-under, Masters first-timer Ludvig Aberg wad fourth on four-under and Bryson DeChambeau fifth on three-under.
It was the driver which deserted Van Rooyen. “I just couldn’t land it properly,” he said. “Couldn’t find a fairway. Really hit the driver poorly. It’s so hard to score from out of these trees. You have to be in position on this golf course. Greens faster than yesterday. I was scrambling the whole day.
“I just didn’t have it today. Shot six-over. I had one – trying to think where – 12 was my only realistic birdie opportunity. I hit the ball really, really well the first two days, and I really struggled today.”
He’s not going to throw in the towel, however. “I’ll do the same as every day. Try and lick the wounds now and go try and find some momentum tomorrow,” he said ruefully.
