Garcia and Rose began the day as co-leaders and with nine holes to play in year's first major were at eight under par, still deadlocked after contrasting starts. Sitting three back of the pacesetters is American young gun Rickie Fowler, with South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, lurking one shot further adrift. Four-times major winner Ernie Els playing in his 23rd Masters, took what could have been his final bow at Augusta National, signing off with six-over 78 leaving the South African rock bottom of leaderboard on 20-over. The Big Easy has not given up hope of playing in a 24th Masters but will have to now qualify for the tournament like every other golfer. "This tournament was just not for me," said the South African, a Masters runner-up in 2000 and 2004.

Source: The Star April 09, 2017 19:41 UTC