Dustin Johnson makes strong start to third round of Masters

World number one Dustin Johnson made a spectacular start to the third round as the first November Masters continued to exceed expectations.
The top three players in the world were part of a tie for the lead for the first time in major championship history after the completion of the delayed second round, with Johnson, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas joined on nine under par by Abraham Ancer and Cameron Smith.
With defending champion Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson just four off the lead and the entire field separated by nine shots, the stage was set for a Saturday shootout and Johnson came out firing at Augusta National.
Dustin Johnson leaps to 11 under par with an eagle on No. 2. #themasters pic.twitter.com/RJo5plEdel
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 14, 2020
Birdies on the par-five second from Patrick Reed, Sungjae Im, CT Pan and Hideki Matsuyama meant there was briefly an incredible nine-way tie for the lead, only for Johnson to then almost hole his second shot to the same hole before tapping in for the easiest of eagles.
Johnson also birdied the third to improve to 12 under par, two clear of Rahm, Im and Thomas, but Woods remained five under par after opening his round with seven straight pars.
Sixty players had made the halfway cut on level par, with pre-tournament favourite Bryson DeChambeau surviving by the skin of his teeth after dropping shots on the last two holes in a second round of 74.

The US Open champion said he had been feeling unwell and dizzy during Friday’s play and underwent a Covid-19 test, which came back negative.
“I was feeling something a little weird two nights ago and I came out yesterday and was fine for the most part,” he said. “As I kept going through the round I started getting a little dizzy. I don’t know what was going on, a little something weird.
“So I got checked for Covid last night, and I was fine, nothing. But I had to do the right thing and make sure there was nothing more serious than that.
“I don’t know what it is or what happened, but these past couple days I’ve felt really, really odd and just not 100 per cent. I just feel kind of dull and numb out there, just not fully aware of everything, and making some silly, silly mistakes for sure.”
Latest
-
Equipment
What’s in the bag for Nelly Korda at the Grant Thornton Invitational?
Nelly Korda has a full TaylorMade supplied bag barring one club.
-
Equipment
The first club you should buy as a beginner golfer
Which club should you make your first investment?
-
News
Confirmed: Tiger Woods is still a draw after Golf Channel ratings bump
Woods still does Tiger numbers.
-
Instruction
Why you can’t stop chunking your irons – and how to stop it
That’s Captain Chunk to you…
-
Courses
Ranking all 6 Australian states by the quality of their golf courses
How do Australia’s states stack up when it comes to their golf.
-
Equipment
Titleist launch incredible limited edition Mystic Blue Scotty Cameron HXXIII Newport Putter
The Mystic Blue Scotty Cameron HXXIII Newport Putter is breathtaking.
-
Equipment
The clubs Scottie Scheffler used to win the Hero World Challenge – including a new custom putter
Scottie Scheffler had a new putter in hand for his Hero World Challenge win.
-
Equipment
5 of the very best drivers to give you more distance off the tee
Looking for distance in a driver? We have you covered.
-
Equipment
What golf clubs did Min Woo Lee have in his bag for the Australian Open?
What’s in the bag for the Chef?
-
Features
Is it poor form to play golf on Christmas Day?
There is nothing wrong with a yuletide round.