If you expected the two major championship-leaders to come out a bit timid in the third round of the Masters, you probably weren't alone. Many times in big golf tournaments, names sneak up on the leaderboard that slowly fade as the weekend progresses.
Kenny Perry is 48 and skipped major championships last year to focus on his goal of making the Ryder Cup. Angel Cabrera hasn't been heard of since that '07 U.S. Open victory. Chad Campbell hasn't won on tour since 2007.
Neither of them suffered anything traumatic and all have a good shot at making the green jacket their own in '09.
Cabrera's round of 3-under 69 was good enough to put him in the final group with Perry, who is looking for his first major championship. Campbell, who was tied atop the leaderboard for most of the afternoon, stumbled on his way in, making a nasty double-bogey on 16, following it up with a birdie on 17 but dropping another shot to par on 18.
If Perry dons the green jacket tomorrow he will surpass the 1986 Jack Nicklaus as oldest Masters champion ever. It will be his 14th PGA Tour victory and might just be enough for Perry to be in consideration for the Hall of Fame in the years to come.
If Cabrera wins it, he will have two major championships in three years and be known as a big tournament player. He can hit the ball a mile but that isn't what is keeping him in this tournament. That is his short game, which has produced 16 birdies this week.
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Kenny Perry walks with his caddie Fred Sanders on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry;Fred Sanders
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Angel Cabrera of Argentina (L), Todd Hamilton (R), caddie Ruben Yorio (3rd L) and caddie Kieran Docherty (2nd L) walk down the 16th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Angel Cabrera;Todd Hamilton;Kieran Docherty;Ruben Yorio
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell walk to the 13th green during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry;Chad Campbell
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Chad Campbell plays his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Kenny Perry hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Anthony Kim chips from a greenside bunker on the 13th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Anthony Kim
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Chad Campbell hits his second shot on the 15th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chad Campbell
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Anthony Kim of the U.S. slaps hands with spectators after hitting out of a sand trap on the 18th green during third round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 11, 2009. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell wait on a tee during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry;Chad Campbell
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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 11: Kenny Perry (L) shakes hands with Chad Campbell on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kenny Perry;Chad Campbell
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If Campbell can pull it out, it would only be a surprise to someone that isn't a big fan of golf. Campbell was basically the Tiger Woods of the Hooters Tour back in 2000, winning eight times that year before dominating the Nationwide in '01. Three wins and a battlefield promotion later, the 34-year-old would pick up his fifth PGA Tour win and make up for his second place finish in the 2003 PGA Championship.
This Masters was supposed to be about Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson (ironically, the two will be paired together Sunday). It was reserved for three young guns playing together the first two days. It was Sergio Garcia's opportunity to come through on a TaylorMade bet. All those storylines are gone at this point, and two men deserving of a green jacket are standing 18 holes away from wearing the best piece of clothing in the world.
Jim Furyk is lurking three shots back, and has a major championship under his belt. Steve Stricker is four shots back and has the touch around the greens to go low on Sunday.
It might not have been the fireworks you were hoping for between the top ranked players in the game, but it should be fun between guys that deserve a green jacket as much as any of the others. If Perry can keep his patience like he did on Saturday, he's my pick to take the title. It should be fun to watch.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Did tiger throw his club and cry again?
A sponsors nightmare.Plodding, dull Kenny Perry and brutish looking Angel Who? leading the masters.Phooey. The course is so beautiful , what a pity it can't be Tiger and Phil gracing those fairways and greens in the lead. I am praying for an early meltdown from these two leaders. How many days in a row can they beat the course? It remains to be seen. Choke baby choke
Thank God it aint Woods.Now I can turn the tv on and relax and enjoy.Yee haa!!!!!!!!!!