First nine giving Masters players sterner test this year

For the first time since the 2015 Masters Tournament, the first nine has been more difficult than the second nine at Augusta National Golf Club, playing to a stroke average nearly a half-shot higher through three rounds.

The top six players on the 54-hole leaderboard also have played the first nine better than anyone in the field, with Patrick Reed’s 8-under effort three shots better than his primary pursuer, Rory McIlroy.

With softer conditions and a more favorable wind direction in the third round, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy both shot 31, tying the low score of the week on the first nine, while Jon Rahm marched up the leaderboard after shooting 32, which featured a pitch-in from 32 yards for eagle on No. 8.

Players received a slight break in the third round as officials moved the tees up on the two par-3s, Nos. 4 and 6, compared to the first two rounds.

“(No. 4) was only playing a 7‑iron instead of a 3 or 4 iron," McIlroy said. "It was a slightly different wind, so I felt like the tough holes played easy. The par 5s played a little more difficult, but the tough holes, like if you were aggressive enough off the tee on the fifth, for example, you were only probably having a short iron in your hand. I hit lob wedge into 7.

PHOTOS: Third Round Action at Augusta

The 7th made a drastic turnaround from the first round to the third. It was the most difficult hole in the first round and fourth in the second round but 12th in stroke average in the third (3.906), allowing 14 birdies.

McIlroy said the greens were about a foot slower than they were the first two rounds.

“The par-3s were shorter,” Justin Rose said. “But the pin placement on 4 was back right and that’s never easy. The wind was down on 5 and 7 so those holes played quite short and No. 9 was playing quite short. So just the wind direction was favorable for some of the par-4s.”

The 53 players surviving the cut combined for 81 birdies and four eagles on the first nine in the third round. It played to a sub-par stroke average (35.868) for the first time this week.

MORE: Course Tour and hole-by-hole statistics at Augusta National

Players created momentum on holes 6-thru-8, which yielded 40 birdies and three eagles. Three of Reed’s top four pursuers were each at least 2-under on the stretch. The field made 14 birdies on No. 6 after managing only 10 in the first two rounds.

“I played late yesterday afternoon and the greens were getting firm and crispy and quick and this rain definitely softened them up and you could be more aggressive,” Henrik Stenson said.

Jordan Spieth leads the field in second nine scoring at 8-under but fell nine shots back because he’s yet to solve the first nine this week. He’s squandered a pursuit of a second green jacket by scuffling  on the opening holes.

“Yeah, my poor start yesterday I didn't think could really determine the outcome of the tournament for me,” he said. “But given where the scores went yesterday afternoon that was huge. Three over through those first three holes yesterday when they were playing right at 1‑under on average for the field, that's four shots I've given back on just yesterday's start.”

Paul Casey said Saturday was a joyful experience compared to the grinding he endured the first two days.

“I've always approached this place understanding that it's one of the ultimate tests, so I don't mind when it's excruciatingly difficult, because they never cross the line, in fairness.”