Day three at the 2026 Masters brought the usual sense of anticipation that comes with Moving Day at Augusta National, with players looking to make their move before the final round. While the leading group had yet to head out, there was already movement on the course from some of the early starters.
Scott Max Homa, who once led at this stage two years ago before finishing the week in third place, again found himself in a strong position. After weekend struggles in that earlier Masters, when a pair of 73s saw him fade, he returned the following year and tied for 12th. The 35-year-old Californian has clearly developed a strong affection for Augusta National later in his career, and he again showed positive signs this week.
Birdies at the first and second holes helped Homa climb the leaderboard to four under par. That early burst gave him a timely boost as the tournament’s third round began to take shape and the bigger names prepared to tee off.
With the main contenders still waiting to begin their rounds, there was also room for a nostalgic diversion into Masters history. One recommendation was a new episode of This Golfing Life, a golf podcast hosted by the award-winning journalist and author Dan Davies. The episode looks closely at the career of Seve Ballesteros, the celebrated Spaniard who won the Masters in 1980 and 1983.
The piece was described as a worthy listen for golf fans, and even those with interests beyond the game, with a playful nod to listeners who may also appreciate references to Paddington and Maurice Flitcroft. It added a reflective note to a day otherwise focused on scores, standings, and the pressure of the weekend at Augusta.
As ever on Masters Saturday, the leaderboard remained the central story, but the early signs suggested there would be plenty more movement to come once the leading players made their way onto the course. For now, Homa’s fast start and the reminder of Ballesteros’s legacy provided the main talking points as Augusta National settled into another pivotal day.
