AUGUSTA, United States // Jordan Spieth, a 20-year-old prodigy who could become the youngest Masters champion, is confident he can handle the last-pairing pressure during Sunday’s intense back-nine drama at Augusta National.
Spieth, making his Masters debut, fired a third-round 70 Saturday to finish 54 holes deadlocked atop the leaderboard with fellow American Bubba Watson at five-under par 211, putting him in the final duo on one of golf’s grandest stages with a major title at stake.
“Deep down, not very (nervous),” Spieth said. “I’m very pleased with the way I putted. That’s where I thought I might need time to get used to the greens, but I feel comfortable with the putter in my hands. Being in this position is very pleasing. I feel comfortable.”
Spieth is the first Masters rookie in Sunday’s final duo since 1995 and only the third since 1937.
“I’ve never had a round where I’ve been nervous on every single swing, shot, and putt. I’m sure that will happen tomorrow, but hopefully I can channel it positively and stay grounded, stay cool, and see what happens.”
“It’s a dream come true just to see what it’s like. I’m in a great position, a position I haven’t been in before but I’m excited about it. This is a place I’ve always dreamed about. It’s kind of Heaven on Earth for me.”
In what could be one of the epic triumphs in golf history, Spieth can become the youngest major winner since Tom Creavy took the 1931 PGA Championship at 20 years, seven months and 16 days – one month younger than Spieth.
Spieth also could become the first Masters rookie to take the green jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
And he could replace Tiger Woods, the world No 1 absent after surgery to ease a pinched nerve, as the youngest Masters champion, Woods having been seven months older than Spieth when he captured the 1997 Masters for his first major crown.
“I try not to think about that. That would be a dream come true,” he said. “I think golf’s greatest (honour) is wearing a green jacket. That would be a very phenomenal thing. If tomorrow can go my way I will never forget any of the shots.”
As if Spieth was not feeling goosebumps enough just being at the famous layout among the Georgia pines, there is an omen that hints at him winning on Sunday to link him with legends of the game.
Jack Nicklaus became the youngest winner in Masters history in 1963, a mark lowered 17 years later in 1980 by the late Seve Ballesteros, whose record was broken 17 years later by Woods in 1997 – and that was 17 years ago.
“He’s special,” past Masters winner Fred Couples said. “He’s such a great putter. He hits the ball long and high. For a 20 year old he is pretty savvy. Not much bothers him. Tomorrow is going to be a really, really hard day to try to win this, but he’s well qualified to do it. He’s a top player.”
Spieth played the first two days with pre-Masters oddsmakers' favourite Rory McIlroy, whose hopes fizzled. He spent Saturday with defending champion Adam Scott, who soared to a 76. Might 2012 Masters winner Watson stumble alongside Spieth as well?
“It’s amazing what Jordan Spieth is doing,” Kuchar said. “That’s amazing golf. Amazing talent, fun kid.”
Spieth, the second-youngest 54-hole major leader since 1945, talks to himself quite a bit and caddie Michael Greller as well, the two keeping him poised and patient as lightning-fast greens force him to be patient.
“As far as being patient shot-to-shot, I think I’ve done the best that I’ve ever had with my mental game. But yeah, I’m still going to talk to myself out there,” Spieth said. “I’m 20 and this is the Masters.
“Michael and I are having a great time out there and somehow staying extremely patient. It’s testing every ounce certain places. We’re playing the smart shots into the greens, controlling the ball fine and I’m putting well.
“It’s almost like you’re putting on rolling gravel. It was crazy fast out there. I’ve never putted on greens like this before.”
Welcome to the Masters.
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The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
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Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
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Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
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Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
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Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
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- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Match info
Arsenal 0
Manchester City 2
Sterling (14'), Bernardo Silva (64')
Conservative MPs who have publicly revealed sending letters of no confidence
- Steve Baker
- Peter Bone
- Ben Bradley
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- Maria Caulfield
- Simon Clarke
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- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
- Andrea Jenkyns
- Anne-Marie Morris
- Sheryll Murray
- Jacob Rees-Mogg
- Laurence Robertson
- Lee Rowley
- Henry Smith
- Martin Vickers
- John Whittingdale
