KU alum Gary Woodland makes his move at Masters

Former Kansas University golfer Gary Woodland made up significant ground Saturday on “moving day” at the Masters. Woodland jumped 23 spots in the third round and carded an eagle and four birdies while tying the Masters record of 30 on the front nine.

Woodland cooled off a bit on the back nine and finished Saturday with a 3-under 69. He sits in a tie for 14th place, five shots behind co-leaders Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson with one round remaining.

“I had a good feeling going to the first hole and hit a great shot in there on 1 and made a putt,” Woodland said. “I haven’t seen a lot of putts go in this week. I saw (that) putt go in on the first hole and really got the momentum going and carried it on.”

A major understatement for the former Jayhawk, who followed his opening birdie with an eagle on the majestic-looking downhill second hole. Another hot stretch came on holes six-10, where Woodland made four birdies to get back in the hunt at 4-under.

“I was slowing down a little bit, trying to catch my breath,” Woodland said. “I was in a groove. I mean, I had it going. To be honest, I only missed a couple of shots and unfortunately they were off the tee box the last couple of holes coming in, and that cost me. All in all, I’m playing great.”

It’s Woodland’s third time playing in the Masters. He tied for 24th in 2011 and withdrew with an injury during the third round of 2012. Woodland was the first player to post a front-nine 30 at the tournament since Phil Mickelson did so in the final round of 2009.

After that stifling start, Woodland said he didn’t change his strategy on Augusta National’s famous risk-reward back nine.

“I played it the same; only difference was I hit driver on 13,” Woodland said. “I’d hit 3-wood every day so far. I was just riding it. I knew I had par-5s ahead of me. I knew I had some holes I could attack. One of the best things I made all day was on 11 there; I just flew over the green. And then I did make a bad swing on 12, and that cost me there.”

After a bogey on 11, Woodland hit his 12th-hole tee shot into the creek and picked up a double bogey. He finished the back nine at 39, with birdies on 10 and 13 and two more bogeys on 14 and 18. In the third round, Woodland hit 11 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens.

“I felt great and I rode it today,” Woodland said. “I drove the ball beautifully until the last couple of holes.”

Woodland is set to tee off at 12:40 p.m. CDT today with John Senden.