Augusta member Jeff Knox beats Rory McIlroy by one stroke
Jeff Knox (right) showed Rory McIlroy how to play at Augusta National. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
A non-competing marker — a player who fills in when the field has an odd number after the cut — named Jeff Knox beat his playing partner, former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, as the latter played the third round at Augusta National on Saturday.
McIlroy finished with a 1-under 71 after he birdied three of the last four holes, but Knox shot 2-under despite bogeying 18.
Master Live Blog: Complete coverage of the third round
"I thought he was going to be nice and three-putt the last and we would have a half, but he beat me by one," McIlroy said.
"He obviously knows this place so well and gets it around," McIlroy added. "I don't think I've ever seen anyone putt the greens as well as he does around here. He was really impressive. I was thinking of maybe getting him to read a few of my putts out there."
Knox, 51, holds the member course record at Augusta with a 61 in 2002, so his success isn't too surprising. But he hit from the championship tees during Saturday's round and the course is setup harder for the pros.
Occasionally markers simply keep pros' scores, but Augusta allows its members to play.
Said the 24-year-old McIlroy: "He played just like he should be playing in the Masters."
McIlroy is 3-over after three rounds. He also shot a 71 on Thursday, but shot a 5-over 77 on Friday.
