Former world number one Rory McIlroy made a sensational
start to the third round of the Masters at Augusta national by stepping up his bid to
complete the career grand slam.
McIlroy began the day five shots off the lead held by Ryder
Cup rival Patrick Reed, but birdied the third and fourth and then almost holed
his tee shot on the par-three sixth.
McIIroy chipped In an eagle on the par-five eighth to join
Reed in the lead on nine under par,He wiped out his five-shot overnight deficit with a
front nine of 31 containing three birdies and a chip-in for eagle on the par-five
eighth.
But Patrick Reed who lead at the halfway stage of the third
round at the Masters Reed hit back with a hat-trick of birdies from the eighth.
He gave a stunning tee shot on the sixth left the Northern
Irishman with a tap-in for birdie and the putter was not even needed on the
eighth as his chip from right of the green - which was travelling at some speed
- hit the pin and dropped in for an eagle.
Meanwhile European number one Tommy Fleetwood had played his
first 14 holes in five under par and was joined on that score by the world's
top two ranked players, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas.
