Masters 2014 leaderboard: Bubba Watson pulling away

There aren’t many opportunities to pick up strokes late at Augusta National and with Jordan Spieth missing two of the better opportunities left, Bubba Watson is in great position to win the 2014 Masters. Watson is 8-under through 15 holes, leading Spieth by three strokes with three holes to play.

The back nine layout fits Watson’s strengths well and he took advantage at No. 13, bombing a drive more than 360 yards leaving only a wedge into the par-5. Watson’s approach wasn’t his best, but still good enough for a two-putt birdie to move to 8-under. While Watson took advantage of the reachable par-5, Spieth’s drive found the pine straw on the right. He was forced to punch out and hit an approach to the green. His third shot was excellent and he had a good look at birdie, but his putt didn’t have enough pace and rolled off to the right.

Leading by three with five to play, Watson avoided issue at No. 14, carding an easy par. Spieth had a long birdie try and gave it a good run, but he too had to tap in for a par.

Heading into No. 15, Spieth likely needed a birdie or even an eagle to seriously threaten Watson. After Spieth’s second failed to find the green, Watson could have opted to lay up and play safe. He didn’t, instead drilling a stinger iron shot through the trees and to the back of the green. Desperate for a birdie, Spieth had another solid chance, only to see the putt just run by, leaving a tap-in par. Watson also made par, maintaining his three-stroke lead.

There are still three holes to play, but two pars at the scoring par-5s may have eliminated any chance Spieth had to challenge Watson.