AUGUSTA, Ga. — William McGirt watched as his Srixon golf ball made its way toward the par-4 ninth hole on Saturday at Augusta National.
When the short birdie putt came up just short of falling in the cup, the Fairmont native flipped his putter end over end, catching it in his hands before tapping in his par.
It was that kind of day for McGirt, who carded a 2-over 74 to enter today’s final round of The Masters in a tie for 11th at even par.
McGirt, who sits six shots back of leaders Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, will tee off at 1:35 p.m.today with Jon Rahm.
“The greens are so much firmer and faster than what I’ve seen,” said McGirt, who finished with three bogeys over the final nine holes, including back-to-back on Nos. 17 and 18 after hitting his tee shot right of the fairway.
“I have no experience with the greens this firm. The first two days they were closer to what I was accustomed to playing. It was a lot different, but it was fun. It’s a hard golf course.”
With conditions calmer and the greens slicker than the first two rounds, McGirt had several opportunities throughout the day but couldn’t take advantage.
He started his round with birdies on Nos. 2 and 5, moving to 4 under for the round, but gave one back on the par-3 sixth to make the turn at 3 under.
Whether it was an approach shot that just missed its mark, a putt that needed an extra pace, or an errant drive, McGirt battled but couldn’t pick up momentum.
Once his round was completed, McGirt said he planned on spending some time on the practice range to “see if we can try and fix it.”
“(I) could’ve stolen a couple more (shots),” he said. “I just have to go out and take advantage of the opportunities when I can. I had so many good putts on that front nine that didn’t go in.”“
For McGirt, the opportunity of earning an invite back to Augusta next season continues to drive him. He can get that 2018 bid with a top-12 finish.
“I still have a chance to play well (Sunday) and with a good, solid round I get to come back next year,” he said. “That’s my goal right now. We have to go out and shoot maybe 2-, 3-under, maybe even 4.
“This is (a place) where I’d like to make a regular stop. I’d love to finish top 12 here every year. We know what we have to do so that’s the good thing. It’s not like we have to go out and shoot something crazy either. If I go out and shoot something crazy good, I might have a chance to win.”
Despite the disappointment of a tough round on Saturday, McGirt was thrilled to see a gallery full of people from his alma mater — Wofford College — following him throughout the day.
“It’s just fun,” he said. “There’s so many friends and family here — people from Spartanburg and all around the Carolinas. I’ve heard ‘Go Wofford!’ or ‘Go Terriers!’ so many times, it’s awesome. It’s huge for our school, huge for our community and it’s huge for where I grew up. It’s just been fun.”
