Masters leaderboard: Bubba Watson increases lead after Jordan Spieth finds water

The most famous par-3 in the world has claimed another victim on Sunday at the Masters, as Jordan Spieth left his shot at No. 12 a bit short, his ball rolling back into the water. It’s a common mistake from players of every age and ability, although I’m sure some will be quick to say this was a rookie mistake.

With the hole in the usual right pin placement, Spieth took aim right at the flagstick but either he didn’t have enough club or had his ball knocked down a bit by the wind. We’ve seen it happen so many times over the years, with Fred Couples being the notable exception and somehow having his ball stick on the side of the bank.

The 20-year-old was just coming off a tough missed birdie chance at No. 11, after closing the deficit to Bubba Watson down to a shot on No. 10.

Bubba is not playing as well as the first two rounds, but it’s an improvement over the shakiness of Saturday. His approach shot on No. 10, a hole that delivered his first win in 2012, got a little loose and he airmailed it high above the green on the right side. He was unable to get up-and-down from there, and gave a shot back to Spieth, who was 6-under.

But Rae’s Creek gave Bubba the cushion right back. Watson put his ball over the green, but delicately got up-and-down for par while Spieth made his drop. It wasn’t as big a cushion as he’d like, as Spieth grinded out a bogey with a great up-and-in from the drop zone. But Bubba now heads to the final six holes with a multi-shot cushion, and some great birdie (or even eagle) chances at 13 and 15. Those two par-5s are probably going to be the difference in the tournament. Bubba will bomb away, and likely add to his 7-under mark. Can Spieth somehow keep up?