The Japan Times - Koepka clings to Masters lead over Rahm as final round begins

Tensions grew in cool and breezy conditions under the Georgia pines as US star Koepka, a four-time major winner playing in the Saudi-backed upstart LIV Golf League, threatened to deliver a blow to the PGA Tour in golf's bitter divide.

Spanish world number three Rahm and Koepka each completed a one-over par 73 third round on Sunday morning -- neither managing a back-nine birdie after play was halted Saturday by puddling water on greens.

Koepka opened the final round on 11-under 205 with Rahm on 207.

"I'm fine with two," Koepka said of his lead, halved from overnight. "I feel fine, I'm just going about me. That's it."

Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion with three PGA titles this year, seeks his first Masters win on what would have been the 66th birthday of his idol, the late Seve Ballesteros, who won the Masters 40 years ago.

"I'd like to think he's up there watching and pulling for me," Rahm said. "If there's somebody who would have enough charisma to give me any help, it would be him."

Adding to the pressure was a run by ninth-ranked Viktor Hovland, five consecutive birdies starting at the par-4 11th lifting the Norwegian to third on 208 and in the hunt for his first major crown after shooting 70.

"Definitely coming in with some momentum off that back nine," Hovland said. "I have to go out there and get it."

A marathon 30-hole Sunday battle was poised to conclude with Koepka and PGA loyalists Rahm and Hovland all seeking a first green jacket.

"If the wind keeps blowing and keeps swirling like this, anything can happen," Koepka said. "You've just got to be in control of your ball."

"With the wind we're going to have, the main thing is staying committed to whatever shot you pick," Rahm said. "Have a clear picture and commit to it."

Overnight, Koepka was at 13-under with Rahm four adrift, but when they resumed at the par-4 seventh, Rahm made a nine-foot birdie putt and Koepka missed an 11-foot par putt, his first stumble after 29 consecutive bogey-free holes.

Both birdied the par-5 eighth but Koepka missed an eight-foot par putt to bogey the par-3 12th, Rahm lipped out on a six-foot par putt at the par-5 13th, Rahm missed a 10-foot par putt at the par-3 16th and Koepka lipped out from three feet at 17 for his first three-putt bogey of the week.

"It's pretty good," Koepka said of his confidence level. "How could you not be, right?"

Koepka has won all three prior times when leading a major after 54 holes.

The greatest last-round Masters comeback to win was eight strokes by Jack Burke in 1956. Koepka had 13 rivals within that range, including Australian Jason Day on 213.

"That lead he has got isn't secure, especially with 18 holes to go," Day said.

Koepka, who won last week's Orlando LIV event, has battled back from 2021 knee surgery to challenge in majors after winning the 2017 and 2018 US Opens and 2018 and 2019 PGA Championships.

Breakaway LIV Golf lured several big names from the PGA last year with record $25 million purses from 54-hole events, sparking the PGA to ban LIV players from its tournaments even as majors allow LIV golfers to compete.

The Masters champion will pocket a record top prize of $3.24 million from a record $18 million purse, less than the $4 million Koepka won in Orlando.

Koepka, ranked 118th because LIV events bring no ranking points, would be the lowest-rated Masters champion since the ranking system began in 1986.

- Injured Tiger withdraws -

Tiger Woods, limping on a soggy layout Saturday, withdrew Sunday from the Masters with a foot injury.

"I am disappointed to have to WD this morning due to reaggravating my plantar fasciitis," Woods tweeted.

The 15-time major winner, still nagged by severe leg injuries in a 2021 car crash, withdrew from his Bahamas invitational last December with the foot injury.

T.Ueda--JT