Roars return as Kim and Co capitalize on Sunday scoring setup

Jose Maria Olazabal, of Spain, chips to the green on the third hole. Pic: David J. Phillip, AP

After two rounds with only three scores in the 60s, the roars returned for birdies and eagles with the traditional Sunday scoring setup at Augusta National.

While the course remained fairly firm and fast after three days of sun and wind, the Masters competition committee invited a Sunday shootout with a few tees moved forward, a little overnight watering of the greens and pins placed in more accessible locations.

Young South Korean Tom Kim went out early and showed what was capable, firing a career-best 6-under 66 that included eight birdies. Six players had signed cards in the 60s before the leaders ever teed off in the afternoon.

“Having the wind down and having definitely pins where you can kind of attack holes, that makes a big difference,” said Kim. “For me, I made the cut on the number. I didn’t really have a good moving day. I just came out here just trying to make it as stress-free as possible, and I did, and just got lucky with a good round there.” 

With balmy temperatures in the upper 80s Fahrenheit and a gentle breeze, Sunday was what they would call a “chamber of commerce” April day in Georgia. It was even welcoming for aging Masters champions not named Tiger Woods who made the cut.

José María Olazábal, 58, got to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his first of two Masters with bonus weekend play for only the second time since 2014. He enjoyed a level-par 72 round Sunday to finish 9 over.

“I enjoyed every bit of it, I have to say,” Olazábal said. “It was a wonderful present to be able to play the weekend. I think it’s the second time in 10 years or whatever. I wasn’t expecting that, to be honest, tackling the week. I wasn’t expecting to play good golf like I did this week.

“Obviously a great feeling to be here on the weekend 30 years after my victory. … I’m proud of myself, the way I played and the way I handled the situation.” 

Phil Mickelson, 53, also reached the weekend on the 20th anniversary of his breakout first major win in 2004. The three-time Masters champion made his seventh consecutive cut at Augusta, where he’s only missed the weekend three times in 31 career starts.

On Sunday he played with Shane Lowry as they shot matching 74s.

“I had a fun week and a great opportunity to experience this course and this test in a way that we don't normally see,” said Mickelson. 

“Then today was there for the taking. The course was soft, and there’s a lot of birdies out there, and it was really fun because you felt like you could birdie almost every hole, even though I didn’t. If you hit good shots, you could.”

Ten of the 18 past Masters champions who competed made the cut, including 61-year-old Vijay Singh, defending champion Jon Rahm, Danny Willett, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Patrick Reed and Scottie Scheffler.