7B - The Third Day
At 10:25 AM the next day, Mario had finished prepping for his tee time in about five minutes. This time, he was feeling more confident than the first two days. As always, Rocco gave Mario a last-minute tip before he left for Hole 1.
"I know you're determined to end up with a lower total than yesterday, but just because you're back on track, it doesn't mean you can boast about making as many birdies and/or eagles as possible," Rocco said. "Just play with a lax attitude and don't zone in on the top prize even though they say, 'Eyes on the prize.'"
"Thanks, Rocco," Mario thanked Rocco. "Your tips are making me feel better each day."
"Not a problem. Good luck out there."
For the third day, Mario was playing alongside Diddy Kong and Koopa the Quick, both of which can drive an average of around 204 yards.
For a few seconds after Mario's name was called by the announcer, not only did the spectators cheer for him, but they also chanted his name before quieting down.
Mario's first drive was a bit shorter this time because the wind pulled the ball to the right, stopping it 211 yards downrange. If it weren't for Rocco's tips in the first place, Mario would've hit the ball more to the right; possibly letting it fly over the spectators' heads.
One advantage that Mario had for today was the fact that there were thick clouds that blocked the sun, making it easier to see the pin from far away. After approaching the green prior to his third shot, Mario noticed the terrain was steeply sloped at different points, which could make it tough to get a birdie easily.
"I never thought those guys would change up the green so much like the pins," Mario said to himself. "I guess I'll have to hit it a bit harder."
He took one of Rocco's tips regarding how much power to put on the ball should there be a steep slope, but it didn't make it up all the way, throwing Mario off a small bit.
"Really? This is unfair."
Luckily, Mario managed to hit a par, but he was confused about why the green was changed up this way. For Diddy Kong and Koopa the Quick, they both ended up with a bogey despite playing normally.
"Is it just me, or are my skills diminishing?" Mario asked Diddy Kong.
Because Diddy Kong couldn't speak human, Koopa the Quick translated his answer, "Diddy says, 'You tell me. I'm asking myself the same question.'"
"Maybe they just wanted to make it a bit harder than usual," Mario said. "I kinda understand that."
For the next three holes, Mario noticed that the pins were just a few inches short of the fringe with several steep slopes in the middle and near the hole. He decided to ask Rocco what he thought prior to starting Hole 5.
"I can't answer that, Mario," Rocco stated. "You could be right about them making it difficult for the second half. Just do all you can."
It didn't matter how much Mario tried by the time he finished the front nine; he stood at 42 with Diddy Kong and Koopa the Quick at 44. To the three's surprise, Wario and Waluigi were tied at first with 21.
"How are Wario and Waluigi doing so great?" Mario asked Rocco while checking the scoreboard. "I thought they usually end up with 65 or something by the end of the course."
"Don't worry about it right now, Mario," Rocco replied. "There's no use stopping the tournament just to get answers."
At Hole 11, Mario managed to hit another hole-in-one because even though the pin was placed at the very back, a horizontal slope intersected the hole. Despite that difference, Mario felt relieved and did the V-sign while the crowd was cheering, prompting them to chant his name again.
"At least they love who I am," Mario said to himself while smiling big. It wouldn't last long, though.
After making a double bogey on the next hole due to the pin being place within a mound in the green's center, Mario kept asking himself who changed up the greens and why it happened. This caused him to fall behind a bit more than the front nine.
In fact, it was at Hole 17 that Mario unintentionally stranded his ball in a tall tree on the first shot, costing him a stroke penalty. Combined with the penalty and him stressing about the greens, he accidentally swore loud enough to get the crowd's attention.
He immediately threw his hands up and said, "I didn't mean it, folks. It was just a slip. I'm so sorry."
The final result for Day 3 was Mario standing at 81, in sixth place, with Wario and Waluigi in first and second place with 44 and 45, respectively. He also saw the players in third, fourth, and fifth place stood between 69 and 76.
"I'm not sure if I should congratulate Wario and Waluigi," Mario told Koopa the Quick and Diddy Kong; he was feeling suspicious instead of pleased.
"You should, Mario. I mean, everyone has to show sportsmanship," Koopa the Quick said while Diddy Kong nodded in agreement. Mario reluctantly went up to Wario and Waluigi and shook their hands while complimenting their end results.
"I can't let this shtuff go," Mario muttered under his breath while walking away. "I need to talk with the course owner."