AUGUSTA, Ga. – Misery loves company. Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy were both miserable Saturday playing together in the third round of the Masters.
Many believed this was McIlroy’s tournament to win heading into the weekend as he was a shot off the lead. But he made double-bogey 6 on the first hole and never rebounded. He made another double bogey on No. 7, then bogey on No. 8 to record three 6s on a front-nine 42.
Garcia made four bogeys on the front nine and quickly was out of contention as well.
A light moment came on the par-3 12th when both recorded birdie, their first of the day. When Garcia putted out he walked toward McIlroy with his arms wide open and the two gave each other a hug.
“It would’ve been better from my girlfriend,” Garcia quipped. “But that was the best we could do at the moment.”
Said McIlroy: “We needed to show a little love. It was a nice moment in a round filled with not so nice moments.”
McIlroy shot 77 and is tied for 27th place, Garcia shot 75 and is tied for 19th.