With Masters Sunday quickly approaching, the excitement amongst the worldwide golfing community is building by the minute.
All eyes will be on Augusta National on Saturday, with round three set to produce real fireworks.
And then on Sunday, The Masters will head into the final straight.
The Masters 2025 third round tee times are out, and there are some majorly exciting pairings to watch around Augusta on Saturday.
- READ MORE: Rory McIlroy says he honestly forgot one simple golf rule in moment of madness at The Masters
Justin Rose leads after two rounds, following scores of 65 and 71 to leave him on eight-under par.
Bryson Dechambeau, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton are all up there challenging as well.
Meanwhile, LIV stars Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm struggled during the first two rounds at Augusta.
Johnson missed the cut, whilst Rahm made the weekend on the number.
Speaking of struggles around Augusta, how do you think an amateur golfer would fare on Masters Sunday?
The head start an amateur golfer would need to win The Masters
The enormous length and extremely undulating greens at Augusta National make for one of the toughest tests in world golf.
Sometimes, the world’s very best players struggle to cope around the fabled old course.
Nick Dunlap – a two-time PGA Tour winner – shot a 90 on on day one of The Masters at Augusta National on Thursday!
So can you imagine what an average amateur golfer would shoot? Well, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm have both delivered their takes on the matter.
It was put to them how many shots an amateur golfer would need as a head start in order to win The Masters around Augusta National on Sunday.
Johnson responded in typical no-nonsense fashion by saying, “At least 40 shots.“
However, Rahm explained why he thinks amateurs would need way more of a head start than that:
“I don’t think they could deal with it. Honestly, you could give them 100 shots and they might not win. They’re not going to get to the dream at two or 10, 11 forget about it, 12 forget about it. 14 they could spend half the day going up and down on that green.“
It really would be fascinating to watch one day, but it will never happen unfortunately!
Two scores a six handicap golfer shot round Augusta National
Media members are allowed to play the course the day after the Masters has finished.
Golf Channel writer Ryan Lavner – a six-handicap – played around Augusta National twice last year.
And Lavner shot an 88 and an 89:
“From the members tees it’s 6400 yards. It’s pretty manageable. I think the difficulty of the golf course is that the approach shots are so difficult. It is so tight. Unless you are really on with your approach play you are going to struggle to impart enough spin on the golf ball. Just the ball flights that we have and the shot shapes we are coming into the greens with. It is not like we are coming in with high soaring fades, which can stop on the top shelf, we are coming in a little bit lower with less spin. You are dead on a lot of occasions.
“Both times I played I got off the golf course thinking I could have done so much better, which I think is the temptress that is Augusta National. That’s why it’s so much fun to play. You could only imagine on your best day that you could get it going and make birdies on the par fives. You could hit it close if you funnel it, if you are playing the slopes right and you’re exact with your approach play.
“I shot 88 and 89 from the member’s tees, I am a six handicap, and that almost felt like it was the worst I could play. Plenty of media members shoot in the 70’s from the members tees when they play the Monday after. On my best day I think I could shoot in the 70’s.“
That proves just how difficult the course is.
It’s worth remembering as well that the course from the member’s tees plays around 1,100 yards shorter than the one faced by the pros.
If an average golfer, let’s say an 18-handicapper, started The Masters on Sunday with a 50-shot lead, I’m really not convinced that he would end up winning.
In fact, I don’t think it would even be close.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
