Jordan Spieth laments missed Masters opportunities

Jordan Spieth paused briefly, then uttered one word.

“Almost,” he said.

On a gettable Augusta National Golf Club, the 2015 Masters champion made only three birdies Saturday en route to 71. He enters Sunday nine shots behind Patrick Reed.

“Today I did everything I could do,” Spieth said. “I had really good chances and it just wouldn't go in for me. That happens sometimes.”

After posting 66 to start the tournament, Spieth has played his ensuing 36 holes in 1-over. According to the three-time major winner, the difference has been on the greens. On Thursday, Spieth had 24 putts, while needing 33 on both Friday and Saturday.

“There was a lid on the hole (Saturday),” he said. “I had five-plus lip-outs, and I didn't adjust to the speed dropping down a couple of feet on the Stimpmeter. But all in all I felt like I played a 4 or 5 under round, and got unfortunate on some of the lips.”

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Despite a disappointing Friday and Saturday, Spieth took solace in being nine shots back, saying, “I get to play one of my only stress‑free rounds ever at Augusta National. I get to enjoy the walk.”

Although few came for Spieth himself, he admitted to hearing multiple roars Saturday, especially on his second nine.

“I wasn't looking at the leaderboard to start — I told myself I wouldn’t,” Spieth said. “Then once I was at a certain point on the back nine, trying to figure out what the course was giving everybody else, I needed to. We heard roars right behind us for Rory, most of them. And Patrick's were huge on Nos. 13 and 15.

“It's pretty cool,” Spieth continued. “You can tell the type of roar it is. An eagle roar is different from a birdie roar which is different from a par-save roar. The octaves.”

As Spieth was midway through his roar analysis, a cheer erupted from No. 18 green.

“That’s a birdie for Rory, right there,” said Spieth, laughing. “You can just tell around here.”

Spieth and longtime friend Justin Thomas will be paired together Sunday. They tee off at 2 p.m.

“We'll go try and do what some of those guys did out in front today,” Spieth said. “Shoot 7 or 8 under.”