He can run, but can he hide?

     A patient round of 70 and a lead increased were the immediate fruits of Rory McIlroy's labor on Masters Saturday, possibly laying the groundwork for a triumphant march through the pines for Sunday's final round.  Assuming, that is, he can shoot a Sunday score somewhere under par.  A slow start by McIlroy will open the floodgates for his pursuers and allow the majority of the tightly bunched field in to the mix.

     McIlroy finished the third round at twelve under par, four strokes clear of Angel Cabrera, Charl Schwartzel, K. J. Choi and Jason Day.  Adam Scott and Luke Donald followed five back at -7, with Bo Van Pelt at six under, rounding out the group of realistic contenders should McIlroy manage to card a score within a couple of strokes of even par.  An early stumble by the leader, not out of the question given McIlroy's tender age, the quality of his competition and the fact that this is his first Sunday in serious contention for a major title, could lead to the most wide open Masters Sunday in tournament history.

     While only seven players ended the third round within five strokes of the lead, twenty-three players finished the day at three under or better, within five strokes of the group at -8.  That group includes six major champions and seven of the top ten players in the Official World Golf Ranking.  Tiger Woods and Fred Couples are lurking at five under, Matt Kuchar and Y.E. Yang are hanging around at -4 and Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, Steve Stricker and the lone amateur to make the cut, Hideki Matsuyama would be hoping for a miracle at -3.  Eleven different nationalities are represented among those top 23 places.

     McIlroy's inspirational play for the first three rounds puts him squarely in the driver's seat but a steady and patient hand will be obligatory.  Augusta National has proven to be the most volatile golf course in the major championship rotation.  If McIlroy can keep his head through the inevitable final round physical and mental challenges, keep calm and execute through the Sunday roars and shut out malign influences that prey upon the psyche with every bad break then he will have earned his first major title.  History tells us that the most likely outcome will see Rory or one of his closest pursuers wearing the green jacket Sunday evening, with two time major champion and playing partner Angel Cabrera being the most likely contender.  Just be ready to throw the history book out the window if one of the greats further back in the pack starts hot and gets the Master's patrons out of their seats, sending roars echoing through the lob-lollies. Whatever happens it should be, as always, great theater.  Fore please!