Matt Kuchar is out to create a golfing history and become the first to win the Shell Houston Open and Masters double.
The American brushed Sergio Garcia aside coming from one shot behind the Spaniard to storm four shots clear of the field with third round 68 for a 15-under par tally on the Golf Club of Houston course.
Kuchar, 38 capped his round with three birdies in succession from the 12th hole while Garcia, who went into the round leading by one shot, struggled in posting back-to-back bogeys mid-round in a score of 73 to be tied in second place on 11-under with American Cameron Tringale (69).
Matt Kuchar looks to become just the third player this year inside the top-15 on the World Rankings to win on the PGA Tour. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Since the Shell Houston Open moved in 2005 to the week prior the Masters no one who has succeeded in the Lone Star State has then gone to be fitted with an Augusta green jacket.
“I feel awfully good about my game is stacking up right now and I’ve had a good run at Augusta the last two years with two top-10s,” he said.
“And given I was close to winning last week in San Antonio I feel good about tomorrow as I have been playing steady golf for a few years now.”
And if successful, Kuchar would be only the third top-15 world ranked player to win on this year’s 2013/14 PGA Tour wraparound schedule.
Rory McIlroy has still not had a Houston lift off posting a third round 74 to slip to a share of 37th place at one under par.
“It’s just been one of those weeks where nothing is sort of happening out there and I just need a spark to get me going,” he said.
With next week to be McIlroy’s 23rd career Major and his sixth straight appearance at Augusta, the 24-year confessed he could easily struggle to find that spark in the season’s first Major Championship.
“The fact it is the Masters next week makes no difference as I could go to Augusta and the exact same thing could happen,” said McIlroy.
“I’m just so pleased to be playing here in Houston just to get some competitive play and get rid of any rust that might be in my game, and if there is anything you feel as though you need to work on going into next week it’s good to get it all out of the system this week, I guess.
“So I’m glad it’s not next week and I’m glad I’m not going into the last day (smiling).”
And McIlroy revealed his fiancée Caroline Wozniacki will caddy for him a second year running in Wednesday’s Par 3 Contest.
“Yes, the same person as last year has agreed to caddy for me but then her only concern is that it might rain,” he smiled.
