1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk zed B. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:15,827 Speaker 2: Eighteen to one. Rory McElroy is roared into contention from 4 00:00:15,867 --> 00:00:18,827 Speaker 2: maiden green jacket a stunning third round at the Masters 5 00:00:18,907 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: in Augusta, a second straight six hundred par round of 6 00:00:22,107 --> 00:00:25,627 Speaker 2: sixty six. He's twelve under through three rounds, leading Bryson 7 00:00:25,667 --> 00:00:28,907 Speaker 2: Di Chambeau by two shots. Corey Connors another two shots back, 8 00:00:29,027 --> 00:00:31,907 Speaker 2: Overnight leader Justin Rose cutting a three over seventy five 9 00:00:31,947 --> 00:00:34,547 Speaker 2: to drop to five under for the tournament, seven shots 10 00:00:34,547 --> 00:00:37,067 Speaker 2: off the pace in a type for sixth and Rory 11 00:00:37,107 --> 00:00:41,027 Speaker 2: McElroy also became the first goal forever to shoot threes 12 00:00:41,507 --> 00:00:45,267 Speaker 2: on the first six holes at Augusta, three birdies, an eagle, 13 00:00:45,467 --> 00:00:48,827 Speaker 2: and two pars. Grahame Agars was watching on as per usual. 14 00:00:49,307 --> 00:00:52,547 Speaker 2: Pretty remarkable stuff from Rory McElroy. Graham, what did you 15 00:00:52,547 --> 00:00:54,707 Speaker 2: make of those first six holes in his third round? 16 00:00:56,507 --> 00:00:58,547 Speaker 3: Well, Jason, I've been doing this for a long time 17 00:00:58,947 --> 00:01:01,787 Speaker 3: and I thought I'd seen everything, but never have I 18 00:01:01,947 --> 00:01:08,707 Speaker 3: seen six threes. You go birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie and 19 00:01:09,787 --> 00:01:12,707 Speaker 3: goes five under, and he serves five holes and then 20 00:01:12,827 --> 00:01:14,867 Speaker 3: adds one more three on the six just to make 21 00:01:14,907 --> 00:01:17,987 Speaker 3: the card look clean. So I sat next to the 22 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:24,747 Speaker 3: Irish broadcaster for RTE Radio and Television and he's just gone. 23 00:01:27,067 --> 00:01:29,827 Speaker 3: I met that poor guy and he looks at me 24 00:01:29,867 --> 00:01:31,867 Speaker 3: and says, this can't keep going. And I said, I 25 00:01:31,907 --> 00:01:33,427 Speaker 3: had to break it to you, but I have a 26 00:01:33,427 --> 00:01:36,787 Speaker 3: hot air balloon theory that everything that goes up eventually 27 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:40,507 Speaker 3: comes down. And it did. Rory, you know, had a 28 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:44,427 Speaker 3: slumpy dropped two shots, one at eight and one at ten, 29 00:01:44,987 --> 00:01:47,467 Speaker 3: and it looked like he was going to be struggling 30 00:01:47,507 --> 00:01:50,907 Speaker 3: again on the back nine, but then Birdie's thirteen played 31 00:01:50,907 --> 00:01:55,307 Speaker 3: it very sensibly and then eagles fifteen with one of 32 00:01:55,347 --> 00:01:58,547 Speaker 3: the best iron approaches I've ever seen to that green. 33 00:01:58,987 --> 00:02:01,107 Speaker 3: This is the same guy, of course, who double bogeit 34 00:02:01,227 --> 00:02:03,987 Speaker 3: in the first round, and he's back on track shoot 35 00:02:04,027 --> 00:02:07,827 Speaker 3: sixty six as you said twelve. So the decade long 36 00:02:07,947 --> 00:02:11,787 Speaker 3: search for the only Grand Slam title that has eluded 37 00:02:11,867 --> 00:02:17,907 Speaker 3: him is back on after so many disappointing happenings at 38 00:02:17,907 --> 00:02:21,507 Speaker 3: Augusta National over the years. So I think I know 39 00:02:21,627 --> 00:02:24,347 Speaker 3: my buddy next to me and the other broadcast booth, 40 00:02:24,387 --> 00:02:27,187 Speaker 3: the Irish guy's got his fingers crossed. But I've got 41 00:02:27,227 --> 00:02:30,067 Speaker 3: a feeling about ninety percent of people at Augusta National 42 00:02:30,707 --> 00:02:33,627 Speaker 3: want to get Rory across the line and just what 43 00:02:33,707 --> 00:02:36,027 Speaker 3: he see what he can do after getting all that 44 00:02:36,107 --> 00:02:37,187 Speaker 3: pressure off him. 45 00:02:38,227 --> 00:02:40,987 Speaker 2: Apart from the obvious of shooting low on the final day, 46 00:02:41,547 --> 00:02:45,667 Speaker 2: what must he do well tomorrow to close this out. 47 00:02:47,307 --> 00:02:51,427 Speaker 3: Well, you know, this guy faced so many challenges over 48 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,307 Speaker 3: the years, and you know, he's had highs and he's 49 00:02:54,347 --> 00:03:00,187 Speaker 3: had lows, and he's finally learning not to go too 50 00:03:00,267 --> 00:03:02,627 Speaker 3: high on the hive and too low on the lows. 51 00:03:02,667 --> 00:03:05,707 Speaker 3: And he proved that, you know, after that first round 52 00:03:05,707 --> 00:03:07,387 Speaker 3: where he looked like he was going to go gang 53 00:03:07,427 --> 00:03:10,987 Speaker 3: buses and then makes two double bogies in the last 54 00:03:10,987 --> 00:03:13,787 Speaker 3: four holes coming in and we all thought, oh my gosh, 55 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:17,627 Speaker 3: it's happened again. And we waited with great interest to 56 00:03:17,667 --> 00:03:19,547 Speaker 3: see what would happen when he came back for the 57 00:03:19,587 --> 00:03:23,467 Speaker 3: next round, and he was okay. He works with Bob Roteller, 58 00:03:23,507 --> 00:03:27,027 Speaker 3: who's one of the better known sports psychologist, who was 59 00:03:27,067 --> 00:03:30,827 Speaker 3: giving him the same advice and the specific advice he 60 00:03:30,907 --> 00:03:34,707 Speaker 3: came gave him after that disappointing finish to that opening 61 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:38,107 Speaker 3: round was don't try and get all the birdies back 62 00:03:38,147 --> 00:03:41,707 Speaker 3: at once, just you've got three rounds to do it. 63 00:03:41,907 --> 00:03:45,787 Speaker 3: Just take your time, and it worked. I mean in 64 00:03:45,827 --> 00:03:47,707 Speaker 3: the second round, I think he only made one birdie 65 00:03:47,747 --> 00:03:50,347 Speaker 3: on the front nine and then cut loose on the 66 00:03:50,347 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 3: back nine, finished up with a sixty six. And then 67 00:03:52,507 --> 00:03:55,227 Speaker 3: again today he did it the other way around. But 68 00:03:55,267 --> 00:03:57,827 Speaker 3: he wasn't pushing it, you know, he was just taking 69 00:03:57,827 --> 00:04:01,907 Speaker 3: it as it comes. And as he said afterwards, he 70 00:04:01,947 --> 00:04:04,827 Speaker 3: said that he played three perfect shots on the first hole, 71 00:04:05,187 --> 00:04:08,627 Speaker 3: three perfect shots the second, and three perfect shots on 72 00:04:08,707 --> 00:04:10,827 Speaker 3: the third, and he knew he was going to have 73 00:04:10,867 --> 00:04:13,187 Speaker 3: a good day, but he didn't let himself get ahead 74 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:18,107 Speaker 3: of himself and kept his feet on the ground. So tomorrow, 75 00:04:18,707 --> 00:04:22,947 Speaker 3: two shots against against d Chambeau, that's going to bring 76 00:04:22,987 --> 00:04:25,747 Speaker 3: back all memories of Pinehurst and the US Open last 77 00:04:25,827 --> 00:04:31,907 Speaker 3: year where Rory missed the three foot and d Chambou 78 00:04:31,987 --> 00:04:34,827 Speaker 3: came from behind to win that thing. So we're going 79 00:04:34,867 --> 00:04:37,507 Speaker 3: to have that mental anguish, We're going to have the 80 00:04:37,587 --> 00:04:42,987 Speaker 3: ten year search for the elusive final fourth Grand Slam title, 81 00:04:43,547 --> 00:04:46,627 Speaker 3: and we're going to have the shambo who can match 82 00:04:46,947 --> 00:04:51,467 Speaker 3: Rory off the tee, can match him for crowd appeal 83 00:04:51,627 --> 00:04:56,747 Speaker 3: and spectacular shots and is quietly ready for this battle, 84 00:04:56,827 --> 00:04:58,707 Speaker 3: knowing that the last time they went head to head, 85 00:04:59,027 --> 00:05:02,147 Speaker 3: he won it. So if Rory gets this thing tomorrow, 86 00:05:03,507 --> 00:05:05,587 Speaker 3: it's fair to say that he's really going to earn it. 87 00:05:06,587 --> 00:05:09,987 Speaker 2: So McElroy twelve under, d Chambo ten under Connor's eight under. 88 00:05:10,027 --> 00:05:13,027 Speaker 2: Then it's a group of players on six and five under. 89 00:05:13,147 --> 00:05:16,147 Speaker 2: That's too far back, isn't it, Graham. If you're below 90 00:05:16,227 --> 00:05:19,147 Speaker 2: Connor's at eight under, no one's making a charge to 91 00:05:19,187 --> 00:05:22,707 Speaker 2: make up six or seven shots, are they? 92 00:05:22,867 --> 00:05:25,547 Speaker 3: No? I don't see. I think it's two men raised tomorrow, 93 00:05:26,147 --> 00:05:29,907 Speaker 3: to be honest with it. You know, these two guys, 94 00:05:30,707 --> 00:05:33,747 Speaker 3: these two guys are thoroughbit. I mean, Rory when he's 95 00:05:33,787 --> 00:05:37,067 Speaker 3: on is the most magnificent golfer. And well, without a question, 96 00:05:37,147 --> 00:05:39,707 Speaker 3: I mean he's a bit like Roger Federer when he 97 00:05:39,827 --> 00:05:41,747 Speaker 3: was on, you know, it was just pretty to watch. 98 00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:47,747 Speaker 3: And Bryighton is well, I don't know who describe him, 99 00:05:47,747 --> 00:05:51,747 Speaker 3: but he's everything all the other golfers are not. You know, 100 00:05:51,787 --> 00:05:55,987 Speaker 3: he uses wacky clubs that he builds himself. He's got 101 00:05:56,027 --> 00:05:59,187 Speaker 3: an old square the square swing that goes back, you know, 102 00:05:59,547 --> 00:06:04,707 Speaker 3: originated seventy years ago. The lofts on his clubs are 103 00:06:04,747 --> 00:06:06,907 Speaker 3: all kind of strange. They're not like a normal set 104 00:06:06,987 --> 00:06:11,147 Speaker 3: of clubs, and he just plays a different way. They 105 00:06:11,227 --> 00:06:13,107 Speaker 3: used to call him the Professor when he was on 106 00:06:13,147 --> 00:06:16,467 Speaker 3: the PGA tour before he bailed and went to live 107 00:06:16,547 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 3: for a big check. And he analyzes everything like a mathematician. 108 00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:27,547 Speaker 3: He's got all these numbers and calculations in his head 109 00:06:28,067 --> 00:06:30,667 Speaker 3: and somehow he makes it work. And this is the 110 00:06:30,787 --> 00:06:34,587 Speaker 3: first year that he's figured out how to play Augusta National. 111 00:06:35,147 --> 00:06:37,907 Speaker 3: In previous years, the course has just eaten these lunch 112 00:06:37,987 --> 00:06:42,387 Speaker 3: because he just tried to overpower it. Now he's actually 113 00:06:42,427 --> 00:06:45,667 Speaker 3: playing it and using the weapons he has effectively. If 114 00:06:45,707 --> 00:06:48,547 Speaker 3: there's one thing that gives McElroy a little bit of 115 00:06:48,587 --> 00:06:52,187 Speaker 3: hope tomorrow, I think is that Bryson has been getting 116 00:06:52,347 --> 00:06:56,187 Speaker 3: up and down a lot, and his short game so 117 00:06:56,347 --> 00:06:59,827 Speaker 3: far as held up. And you remember at Pinehurst it 118 00:06:59,867 --> 00:07:03,787 Speaker 3: was an unbelievable bunker shot from short of the final 119 00:07:03,827 --> 00:07:06,907 Speaker 3: green that he put to about three feet that earned 120 00:07:06,947 --> 00:07:10,227 Speaker 3: him that win. And he's been playing some most magnificent 121 00:07:10,307 --> 00:07:15,107 Speaker 3: bunker shots and chip shots around the greens, so you know, ODDSI, 122 00:07:15,307 --> 00:07:19,067 Speaker 3: you can't maintain that over four rounds, and as I say, 123 00:07:19,507 --> 00:07:23,827 Speaker 3: if there isn't advantage theoids, it might be that for maclroy. 124 00:07:24,027 --> 00:07:26,387 Speaker 2: Just a word on Justin Rose overnight leader, as I say, 125 00:07:26,627 --> 00:07:28,907 Speaker 2: three over seventy five to drop down to five under. 126 00:07:28,947 --> 00:07:32,587 Speaker 2: He's been around for a while because there's twentieth Masters 127 00:07:32,627 --> 00:07:35,347 Speaker 2: start top twenty five and eleven of the last fourteen 128 00:07:35,467 --> 00:07:39,147 Speaker 2: runner up to Speeth in twenty fifteen, Garcia in twenty seventeen. 129 00:07:39,427 --> 00:07:42,587 Speaker 2: What happened to Justin Rose overnight or in the third round. 130 00:07:43,427 --> 00:07:46,867 Speaker 3: Well, he's forty four, that's what happened to him. It's 131 00:07:47,027 --> 00:07:49,627 Speaker 3: just not easy, No, it's not. I mean he's lost 132 00:07:49,627 --> 00:07:52,147 Speaker 3: a little bit of length of tea, which means he 133 00:07:52,187 --> 00:07:55,747 Speaker 3: has to work harder going into the greens. He knows it. 134 00:07:57,107 --> 00:08:01,147 Speaker 3: He's actually lead or be tired of being tied for 135 00:08:01,227 --> 00:08:04,667 Speaker 3: the lead of a round at the Masters six times, 136 00:08:05,227 --> 00:08:07,827 Speaker 3: which is the equal wreck. So he's been in contention 137 00:08:07,987 --> 00:08:10,027 Speaker 3: a lot. That might be the first round, round, third 138 00:08:10,107 --> 00:08:12,827 Speaker 3: round or whatever. But you know, so he knows what 139 00:08:12,907 --> 00:08:15,587 Speaker 3: he's doing. But he's got the young guns, and it's 140 00:08:15,627 --> 00:08:19,467 Speaker 3: hard to hold the young guns down over four four rounds, 141 00:08:19,507 --> 00:08:22,107 Speaker 3: particularly on a course like a gust which is just 142 00:08:22,547 --> 00:08:26,307 Speaker 3: so demanding with the placement of your shots off the 143 00:08:26,387 --> 00:08:29,467 Speaker 3: tee on the green and then you're putting. So I 144 00:08:29,507 --> 00:08:32,907 Speaker 3: think it just got to him. I wasn't knocking him, 145 00:08:32,907 --> 00:08:35,467 Speaker 3: but I didn't think that he would be able to 146 00:08:35,507 --> 00:08:39,107 Speaker 3: maintain that rage over four rounds. He may still play 147 00:08:39,307 --> 00:08:42,587 Speaker 3: well tomorrow, and you know, have a sniff. He's a 148 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:45,387 Speaker 3: quality player. He's want to major before the US something, 149 00:08:46,067 --> 00:08:49,307 Speaker 3: so he knows what he's doing. But you know, he's 150 00:08:49,387 --> 00:08:54,947 Speaker 3: the passing generation, shall we say, and the Shambo and 151 00:08:55,067 --> 00:08:58,147 Speaker 3: Rory are the coming one, even though Rory is now 152 00:08:58,187 --> 00:08:59,107 Speaker 3: in his mid thirties. 153 00:08:59,907 --> 00:09:02,667 Speaker 2: Well, just back to Rory to finish. Then what what 154 00:09:02,787 --> 00:09:04,467 Speaker 2: do you have to shoot tomorrow? Par won't be enough? 155 00:09:04,507 --> 00:09:06,947 Speaker 2: Willot one two under the that be enough. 156 00:09:08,227 --> 00:09:10,227 Speaker 3: I picked fourteen under at the start of the week, 157 00:09:11,747 --> 00:09:17,827 Speaker 3: and I think maybe fifteen under will win it. Fourteen 158 00:09:17,907 --> 00:09:22,107 Speaker 3: under maybe a playoffs. You never know. It just depends 159 00:09:22,627 --> 00:09:25,907 Speaker 3: on the conditions tomorrow. The forecast is good. The greens 160 00:09:25,907 --> 00:09:28,227 Speaker 3: are going to be a little firmer and harder because 161 00:09:29,147 --> 00:09:32,467 Speaker 3: there's no rain in the forecast, so they're going to 162 00:09:32,467 --> 00:09:35,987 Speaker 3: be a little more difficult. I guess the National usually 163 00:09:36,027 --> 00:09:40,627 Speaker 3: sets up some pins that will allow low scoring. That 164 00:09:40,747 --> 00:09:43,307 Speaker 3: gives the guys a chance, you know, to make an 165 00:09:43,347 --> 00:09:47,307 Speaker 3: eagles or birdies. So it's going to be a shootout 166 00:09:47,347 --> 00:09:53,347 Speaker 3: for sure, but you know, I think fifteen under might win. 167 00:09:53,387 --> 00:09:56,587 Speaker 2: It always great to get your an elysis crime. Hope 168 00:09:56,587 --> 00:09:59,147 Speaker 2: you and your Irish friend from ite have a great 169 00:09:59,227 --> 00:10:02,187 Speaker 2: day tomorrows does Rory McElroy. Thanks for your time as 170 00:10:02,187 --> 00:10:03,147 Speaker 2: always this afternoon. 171 00:10:04,187 --> 00:10:05,947 Speaker 3: Yeah, that guy's going to be a nervous wreck by 172 00:10:05,947 --> 00:10:07,067 Speaker 3: the hind a wait that time. 173 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:11,067 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, Listen live 174 00:10:11,187 --> 00:10:14,507 Speaker 1: to news Talks at B weekends from midday, or follow 175 00:10:14,507 --> 00:10:16,147 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio