The third round of the 2026 Masters is under way at Augusta National, with the field entering the all-important Moving Day phase of the tournament. As the leaderboard begins to take shape, attention is turning to the players positioned to challenge over the weekend, along with those trying to stay in touch.
One of the early names to make an impression is Scott Max Homa. The 35-year-old Californian has shown before that he can contend at Augusta: two years ago he led at this stage before finishing the week in third place after a difficult weekend that included a pair of 73s. He returned last year and tied for 12th, and he has once again started this week with promise. Birdies at the first and second holes have lifted him to four under par, moving him further up the standings.
Homa’s record at Augusta reflects a steady improvement in comfort and confidence at one of golf’s most demanding venues. His progress this week adds another layer to a third round that is still waiting for the leading group to fully assert itself. With much of the round still to come, the leaderboard remains in flux.
While the opening stretches of play continue, there is also space for a little Masters nostalgia. The tournament’s history is always part of the conversation at Augusta, and this year’s build-up has included a recommendation for a new episode of This Golfing Life, a podcast hosted by the award-winning journalist and author Dan Davies.
The episode looks back at the career of Seve Ballesteros, the legendary Spaniard who won the Masters in 1980 and 1983. Ballesteros remains one of the most admired figures in the game, and his influence on golf continues to be felt decades after his major victories. The podcast episode has been described as a deep dive into his career and is suggested as a worthwhile listen for fans following the Masters storyline this weekend.
As the round develops, Augusta National is once again offering the mixture of pressure, tradition and momentum shifts that define Masters weekend. Players who start well can climb quickly, but the course is rarely forgiving for long. The next phase of the tournament will depend on who can keep control as the stakes rise.
For now, Homa’s early birdies have given him a foothold near the top of the board, while the rest of the field continues its push through a crucial Saturday at Augusta. With the leading players still to make their move, the picture at the top of the leaderboard may change quickly as day three unfolds.
Official leaderboard updates are available as the action continues, and coverage of the tournament remains live throughout Moving Day at Augusta National.
