The two South Koreans left standing at the Masters struggled to move up the leaderboard at the first major championship of the men’s golf season on Saturday.
Noh Seung-yul and Bae Sang-moon both shot an even-par round of 72 at Augusta National Golf Club. Noh, playing in his first Masters, started his day with a double bogey before making three birdies against one bogey, and is sitting at even par for the tournament, good for a six-way tie for 30th.
Bae, playing at Augusta for the third time, mixed in four birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey. He is one-over for the tournament and is tied for 36th with five others.
A South Korean has yet to win the Masters.
Jordan Spieth, who set a 36-hole Masters scoring record by reaching 14-under through Friday, led for the third straight round at 16-under after an up-and-down day of 70.
Justin Rose, aided by five birdies on the back nine, shot a 67 on Saturday to reach 12-under, putting himself in a sole possession of second.
Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters champ, is another stroke behind after also shooting a 67.
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, the former and current world No.1s, each shot a 68 and are tied for fifth at six-under. Woods is playing in his first tournament since early February. McIlroy is gunning for his first Masters title, which would also complete his career grand slam. (Yonhap)
S. Koreans struggle to move up leaderboard at Masters
