Duffy Waldorf wears cute hats and cute shirts. His wife, Vicky, puts cute motivational sayings on his golf balls. But there was nothing cute about Waldorf’s round Saturday. What it was was Master-ful.
On a day when most of the leaders–except Greg Norman, of course–were backing up, Waldorf shot a 3-under-par 69 to move into a tie for fourth place with one round of the Masters to go. Fourth place is worth $120,000.
Not bad for a guy whose only PGA Tour win was last year’s LaCantera Texas Open and who had knee surgery in late February to repair torn cartilage. But only a little above average for a guy who has finished 39th and 24th in two previous Masters and won $525,000 last year.
“Today seemed easier to me,” said Waldorf, one of only two players–David Duval was the other–to break 70 Saturday. “Without the sun, it seemed like the greens were not as fast and hard. The wind was tough, but I had a good day because I stayed below the hole.”
Waldorf also had a good day because he eagled the 535-yard par-5 eighth hole with a 20-foot putt.
Saturday’s golf ball messages: one that said “green jacket,” referring to what the Masters winner gets to wear, and another with the state of Georgia and a flag where Augusta is located.
“Sort of like the Masters logo,” said Waldorf, with a sheepish grin. “I hope they won’t mind.”
Jack’s back . . .: Or at least the Jack Nicklaus of old was temporarily when he eagled the 15th hole from 40 feet right of the green, chipping over a bunker and letting it roll toward the hole, bang into the flagstick and disappear into the cup.
“If it hadn’t gone in,” said Nicklaus, “it would’ve gone 30 feet by.” That was about the only bright spot for Nicklaus, who shot 76 and is at 3-over 219.
Walrus attack: Craig Stadler almost aced the 170-yard par-3 16th when his tee shot landed 5 feet past the pin, spun backward and rolled to a stop on the lip.
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Hootie is everywhere: The rock band Hootie and the Blowfish will join Masters participants Fred Couples, Nick Faldo, Stadler, Duval and Kenny Perry for the post-Masters celebrity outing Monday at Ft. Jackson Golf Course in Columbia, Ga.
Couples’ quote: “If you can’t birdie 13 and 15, you’re in trouble,” he said of Augusta National’s two back-nine par 5s. Couples finally did Saturday en route to a 71. He’s at 1-over 217. On Thursday, he took a double bogey on 13; on Friday, he bogeyed No. 15.