Golf: Justin Rose fires stunning 65 to lead Masters by 4 shots

Justin Rose humbled a firm and fast Augusta National layout that wreaked havoc upon many of the world's top golfers, seizing a four-stroke lead on Thursday at the 85th Masters.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, birdied five of the last seven holes in shooting a seven-under par 65, his career-low score by two strokes in 59 Masters rounds.

The 40-year-old Englishman defied a lightning-fast layout that baffled his rivals by going nine-under over the last 11 holes, the best such Masters closing run by any golfer since 2004.

"The start was slow but a little bit of experience kicked in, knowing it was a tough day out here," Rose said. "I knew if I could keep it near par it would be a good day."

Rose, a Masters runner-up in 2015 and 2017, took the 18-hole lead for the fourth time in the green jacket fight, after 2004, 2007 and 2008.

"Even if I haven't got an arm in the jacket yet, I feel like I've been there to see what it's all about," Rose said.

Using a deft touch with irons and putter to solve the intimidating layout, Rose overcame bogeys at the first and seventh holes starting with an eagle at the par-5 eighth.

"Making eagle there was huge," Rose said.

Rose said he was uncertain where his game stood, his last win coming in 2019 at Torrey Pines, but found form quickly after that.

Rose followed with back-to-back birdies at nine and 10, curling in a long putt at the latter, and managed the feat again in Amen Corner at the par-3 12th and par-5 13th, dropping his approaches within five feet.

He reeled off three more in a row, capped by a five-footer at 17, and closed with a par to take command of the green jacket chase, matching his second-best round at any major.

Rose's lead matched the second-best after 18 holes in Masters history, trailing only winner Craig Wood's record five strokes from 1941.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and American Brian Harman shared second on 69. Neither has ever won a major -- or any US PGA Tour event since 2017.

"I've never seen the greens so firm and fast," 10th-time starter Matsuyama said. "It was like a new course for me playing today and I was fortunate to get it around well."

Sharing fourth on 70 were 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2012 US Open winner Webb Simpson, Masters debutant Will Zalatoris and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Mistakes were magnified around the hard-baked greens with winds adding to the intense challenge, foiling many favorites.

Top-ranked defending champion Dustin Johnson, trying to become only the fourth back-to-back winner, lipped out a two-foot putt at 18 to close with a double bogey and shoot 74.

"Conditions were very difficult," said Johnson. "I felt like I played pretty well. "The last hole left a little sour taste in my mouth.

"The greens are always challenging but the wind, too. It was gusting and blowing and pretty hard to judge."

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, seeking a victory to complete a career Grand Slam, was off to his worst Masters start with a 76.

"The par-5s you can birdie but then you have to be happy with giving yourself 25-, 30-footers every time," McIlroy said. "If you can do that, you've played a really good round."

England's Lee Westwood, trying to become the oldest Masters winner at age 47 after runner-up efforts last month at Bay Hill and the Players, opened on 78.

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, playing despite right knee surgery last month, reeled off three bogeys in a row starting at the par-3 12th but two birdies followed at 15 and 16 and he opened with a 74.

"It can get pretty dicey out here if you put it in the wrong spot, the way these greens are," Koepka said.

- 'It was a battle' -

Third-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm, who only arrived Wednesday after being with his wife for the birth of their first child, missed a short par putt at 18 to finish on 72.

"It was a battle," Rahm said. "There was not one moment where I felt relaxed out there... everybody struggled."

Reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, a winner last month at Bay Hill, was 4-under after 16 holes. He found bushes in making a double bogey at the par-3 fourth.

Augusta National welcomed the first spectators at a major championship since 2019 after Covid-19 forced a ban on fans last year. A limited number of patrons, reportedly about 12,000, were allowed under virus safety protocols.

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Golf: Johnson charges to four-shot lead after Masters third round

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Dustin Johnson had one arm in the Green Jacket after charging to a four-shot lead with a near-perfect seven-under-par 65 in the third round at the Masters on Saturday.

Johnson matched Jordan Spieth's record low Masters total for the first 54 holes -- 16-under-par 200 -- while South Korean Im Sung-jae (68), Mexican Abraham Ancer (69) and Australian Cameron Smith (69) were equal second on 12-under.

"I've got a lot of control of what I'm doing, I'm very comfortable standing over the ball right now and that's a good feeling," said a typically-understated Johnson, who grew up just across the state border in Columbia, South Carolina.

Ten players were within one stroke starting the third round, but Johnson was a class apart, in control of every facet of his game as he broke clear with a tap-in eagle at the par-five second after almost holing a five-iron.

He never looked back and did not really miss a green until the final hole, where for the first time all afternoon he was forced to call upon his deft short game to save par.

Only two players have surrendered a bigger 54-hole lead at the Masters -- Greg Norman (six shots) in 1996 and Ed Sneed (five shots) in 1979.

Rory McIlroy (2011) and Ken Venturi (1956) could not close the deal with four-stroke cushions.

For all his talent, world number one Johnson has only one major title to his credit, the 2016 U.S. Open, a disappointing haul for a player with all the physical attributes necessary for greatness.

A joint runner-up to Tiger Woods here last year, and a perennial major contender, he will take nothing for granted on Sunday, but the final major of an unusual 2020 season is his to win or lose.

"If I can play like I did today I think it will break that streak (of close calls)," he said.

"I’ve got a good game plan, I’m not going to change it. As we all know here, if you get it going you can shoot some low scores.

"I'm going to need to play a really good round if I want to win tomorrow."

SUPREME CONTROL

Seemingly fully recovered from a recent bout of the novel coronavirus, Johnson displayed mastery of his trusty power fade off the tee and was in supreme distance control with his irons, a trusty putter the cherry on the cake.

His performance eliminated the chances of many, including Tiger Woods, who started the round four behind but took 12 holes to record his first birdie.

A 72 that left the 15-times major champion 11 strokes adrift, a sixth Masters title a bridge too far.

World number two Jon Rahm was another who had no answer to Johnson's brilliance.

The Spaniard shared the halfway lead with Johnson, Thomas, Ancer and Smith, but came unglued at the par-five eighth.

He ran up a double-bogey after his third shot struck a tree and ricocheted into an unplayable lie in a bush.

Though Rahm fought back for a respectable 72, he trailed Johnson by seven shots.

Earlier on Saturday, Rahm was among 48 players who resumed the second round at 7.30 am as the tournament played catch-up after Thursday's long break for bad weather.

What started out with a morning chill in the air gave way to bright sunshine and pleasant November warmth in this unique spectator-free event being played for the first time in autumn.

"I grew up right down the road so this one would be very special to me," said Johnson. 

(Reporting by Andrew Both, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ken Ferris)

-reuters-

He's back!

Tiger Woods celebrates on the 18th hole after winning the 2019 Masters in Augusta, Georgia, U.S.A. on Sunday. The win marks an epic comeback to golf's grand stage after an 11-year drought huddled by injuries, personal problems and a divorce. 

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Golf: Molinari and Woods renew majors battle for Green Jacket

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Francesco Molinari surged two shots clear at the top of the Masters leaderboard on Saturday to set up another final round showdown with Tiger Woods for a major title.

It has been an almost flawless Masters for Molinari, who has carded just a single bogey through three rounds. The Italian turned in another error-free effort in Saturday's third round, signing for a six-under 66 to top the leaderboard at 13-under.

Molinari, the first Italian to win a major with his victory at last year's British Open, will start in pole position to claim a Green Jacket to go along with his Claret Jug.

Joining him in the last group will be Woods, who also paired with the Italian in the final round at Carnoustie, after the American electrified the massive galleries with a five-under 67, his best score at Augusta National since 2011 when he shot rounds of 66 and 67.

"He (Woods) obviously loves this place and he's playing great golf," said Molinari. "So I'm aware that it's not going to be easy tomorrow, I can just do my best.

"But it's not like I can only worry about him. There's a lot of guys I think in with a chance."

Woods and Molinari will be accompanied in the final round by Tony Finau, who matched Woods's 11-under total with a dazzling eight-under 64 that featured a Masters record-equalling front nine of six-under 30.

Lurking one shot further back is twice U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, who scrapped his way to a three-under 69 to trail Molinari by three.

With the forecast calling for heavy rain and thunderstorms late on Sunday officials have decided to send golfers off in threesomes from both the first and 10th tees rather than traditional pairs in an attempt to get the final round completed and avoid a Monday finish to the year's first major.


TRUMP ON TIGER

With Woods chasing his first major title since the 2008 U.S. Open, and first Green Jacket since claiming his fourth in 2005, 'Tiger-mania' is again reaching fever pitch.

Even United States President Donald Trump, who has golfed with Woods at his Mar-a-Lago resort, said on Twitter he was looking forward to Sunday's final round. "Great playing by @TigerWoods (at the) @TheMasters. Tomorrow will be a big and exciting day for golf and for sports. Many fantastic players in the hunt. Ratings Gold - Good luck to all!," tweeted Trump.

Woods was in contention on the final day at the last two majors but was unable to get over the line. He led on the back nine of the British Open before being overtaken by Molinari and finished runner-up at last year's PGA Championship.

"It's been a while since I've been in contention here," said Woods. "But then again the last two majors counts for something.

"I've been in the mix with a chance to win major championships in the last two years and so that helps."

While Finau is playing in just his second Masters the 29-year-old has displayed plenty of guts to go along with some superb form at Augusta National.

Famed for dislocating his ankle celebrating a hole-in-one at last year's par-3 contest, Finau will now be remembered for matching the Masters record for the lowest front nine.

He joins five others -- Johnny Miller, Greg Norman, K.J. Choi, Gary Woodland and Phil Mickelson -- who have all carded 30 over the first nine holes.

"As a kid, I always wanted to compete against him (Woods)", said Finau, who popped his ankle back in and bravely came back to finish 10th at last year's Masters. "I've dreamed of playing in the final group with him in a major championship."

With no wind and a layout softened by days of rain, the early starters attacked the pins and the Augusta record books with gusto, taking full advantage of the ideal scoring conditions on what is known as Moving Day.

The Masters course record seemed under constant threat with Finau, Webb Simpson and Patrick Cantlay all carding 64s, one shy of the mark owned by Greg Norman and Nick Price.

The three 64s were nonetheless the most in the same round at any Masters. 

(Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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Golf: Roars return as Tiger takes the Masters spotlight

Major winners Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen, Brooks Koepka, Jason Day and Adam Scott shared top spot at the Masters on Friday at the end of the second round, but it was Tiger Woods who commanded the spotlight once again at Augusta National.

Woods brought the roars back to the famed venue with a brilliant four-under-par 68, putting himself on track for a fifth Green Jacket. At six-under-par 138, the American is just one shot off the leaders heading into 'moving day.'

After an ordinary outward nine featuring three birdies offset by a pair of bogeys, Woods embarked on one of his trademark charges, carding three birdies after the turn to shoot up the leaderboard.

"I feel like I played my own way back into the tournament," said Woods. "I was just very patient today, felt very good to be out there doing what I was doing.

"This is now three straight majors that I've been in the mix and so it's good stuff."

The stage is now set for an extraordinary weekend as Woods attempts to slip into his first Green Jacket since 2005 and claim his first major since 2008.

Woods has made huge strides since returning from back fusion surgery nearly two years ago, collecting his 80th career PGA Tour title at last season's ending Tour Championships.

However, nothing less than a 15th major victory will quell talk of an unfulfilled comeback.

It would also reignite his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus's record haul of 18 majors.

On Friday, it was like old times as the 43-year-old turned up the buzz with each shot, the roars echoing across Augusta National when Woods rolled in a long birdie putt at 15 and continued until he walked off the 18th where his birdie putt clung to the lip leaving him a tap-in par.

The Woods show overshadowed everything else.

Any other time, a hobbled Day might have been the story after getting up off the deck to shoot five-under 67.

Barely able to walk after throwing out his back bending over to kiss his daughter on the practice range on Thursday, the battling Australian somehow turned in a near flawless scorecard, with six birdies and a single bogey.

"Pain is a funny thing, it goes up and down, and everybody's pain threshold is different," said Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner.

"Someone that is in a lot of pain might feel something totally different compared to me, so it's hard.

"Every day I feel like I wake up with some sort of aches, you know, and I think you just kind of learn to live with it and you just go along the way."

Italian Molinari carded an error-free 67 for his best round in eight Masters that put the British Open champion in contention for a Green Jacket to go along with the Claret Jug he hoisted last year.

Koepka, who had shared a one-shot overnight lead, also deserved applause, staging a back nine recovery after a stumbling start to the second round. 

After a flawless opening round, Koepka had two bogeys and a double in his first six holes on Friday but the twice U.S. Open champion was able to regain his composure, steadying himself with six straight pars from the ninth.

He followed that with birdies at 15 and 18 to salvage a 71 and join the leaders at seven-under 137.

It also looked like old times for Australian Scott, the 2013 champion, who moved up the leaderboard with a four-under 68.

British Open winner Oosthuizen also joined the party with a 68, while world number two Dustin Johnson returned a two-under 70 to join Woods at six-under.

There was drama up and down the leaderboard.

Patrick Reed kept his Green Jacket defense alive, making the cut with a two-under 70, but Spain's Sergio Garcia, the 2017 champion, made an early exit for the second straight year after returning a 73.

World number one Justin Rose also headed for the exit after he bogeyed the final two holes to miss the cut by one shot. 

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Golf: Tiger Woods turns back the clock with a 70 in Masters first round

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Tiger Woods missed a couple of short putts early in the first round before charging up the leaderboard at the Masters on Thursday, at times reminding everyone of his former glories.

Fourteen years since his last Masters triumph, 14 times major winner Woods birdied the 13th and 14th holes to tie for the lead at Augusta National.

Yet a couple of poor drives down the stretch, along with a judgement error, left the four-times Masters champion to card a slightly disappointing two-under-par 70.

He was one stroke off the clubhouse lead, held by Australian Adam Scott, Spaniard Jon Rahm and South African Justin Harding.

"Played well today, hit a lot of good shots," Woods said.

"If I missed, I missed in the correct spot. I had simpler up-and-downs because of that.

"I missed a few (putts) for sure, misread a couple and hit a bad one at six. Other than that it was a good solid day."

After a two-putt birdie at the par-five 13th, Woods picked up another shot at the 14th with a typically Tigeresque effort.

He threaded his 150-yard approach shot through the Augusta pines and then sank a sharply-breaking 25-foot putt, giving an understated little fist pump as the patrons roared their approval.

When he drove down the middle at the par-five 15th, leaving less than 200 yards to the pin, it seemed likely Woods would take the outright lead.

Yet one poorly-judged shot pricked his balloon.

"Get down, down, down," he barked at his ball while it was in the air, before adding "oh my god" when he saw it overshoot the green.

The ball landed on a downslope and bounded 40 yards beyond the hole, leaving a devilishly difficult pitch shot.

The 43-year-old struck a heavy wedge shot which never had a chance of making it up the slope, prompting a wry smile.

He hit the next one close and saved par.

Later, Woods carved his drive into the trees at the par-four 17th, and though he found a nice gap for his second shot, he came up short of the green and bogeyed the hole.

Earlier, Woods missed a five-foot putt at the fifth and an even shorter one at the next. He also missed a great birdie chance at the par-five eighth.

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Golf: Excitement builds for Masters as McIlroy eyes Career Slam

AUGUSTA -- Newcomers, past winners and a host of green jacket hopefuls made final preparations Sunday at Augusta National on the eve of official practice rounds for the 83rd Masters.

The year's first major championship begins Thursday at the famed course under the Georgia pines with Rory McIlroy making his 11th Augusta National start and fifth attempt to complete a Career Grand Slam by winning the Masters.

The 29-year-old Northern Ireland star, a four-time major champion, has finished between fourth and 10th in each of the past five years at the Masters, sharing fifth last year, and is a Las Vegas oddsmakers pick to win this time.

If he dons the green jacket next Sunday, McIlroy would become only the sixth player to have won each of the major titles at least once in his career, joining legends Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

"It would be a massive achievement. It would be huge," McIlroy said during his run-up to Augusta. "But I can't think about it that way."

Among those driving down Magnolia Lane to Augusta National's clubhouse early was 22-year-old Aaron Wise, a South African-born American who won last year's PGA Byron Nelson title to claim his first Masters berth.

"Right now I'm just soaking it all in," Wise said. "We can all remember the great moments and great shots just from having watched on TV."

Wise, whose family moved to the United States when he was three, was last year's US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. He missed the cut in three prior major starts as he and 16 other newcomers prepare for their Masters debuts.

"Coming to Augusta I feel good. I love the place," said two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. "I'm thankful just to be here."

Watson was on hand for the start and finish of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Saturday and was among presenters in Sunday's Drive, Chip and Putt Championship for youth.

"The buzz is unbelievable," said Australia's Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion. "It gets me excited for next week."

The biggest excitement is coming for defending champion Patrick Reed, who is now based out of the Champions Locker Room.

"This year, having all the extra activities, extra things going on, it's going to be a lot of fun," Reed said. "I honestly can't wait.

"To come back and experience what it's like to be on the first tee as defending champion is going to be an awesome experience. Just can't wait to cherish all the moments."

- Ribeye steak for champs -

Anticipation is building outside the course as well.

Signs are already posted saying "Golf Tickets Needed" in hotels and on the sides of the road with people looking for a deal on one of the toughest tickets in sport.

Along Washington Road, the highway golfers take to reach Magnolia Lane, several restaurants have their party tents assembled and ready for the visitors from around the world to arrive.

The most exclusive meal of the week will be Tuesday's Champions Dinner, where Reed serves the menu he has dreamed about having since he was a teenager -- ribeye steak, macaroni and cheese, creamed spinach and creamed corn.

"I'm definitely going to fatten everyone up," Reed said.

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Golf: Kupcho makes history as first woman to win at Augusta

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Jennifer Kupcho struck a blow for gender equality and entered golf history books on Saturday when she was crowned Augusta National Women's Amateur champion by firing a final-round five-under 67 for a four-shot win over Maria Fassi.

Following the first women's competitive round played at Augusta National, it was a double celebration for Kupcho as she hoisted the silver and gold Tiffany-designed cup at a club that just seven years ago did not have a single woman member.

"You are now part of history of Augusta National along with all the great Masters champions who have been right here in this Butler Cabin," Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said as he presented Kupcho with her trophy in the same location where the Masters champion is presented with the winner's green jacket.

With Augusta National set to host the Masters next week, Fassi and Kupcho proved that women can also produce nerve-jangling drama with a back-nine battle worthy of any major.

Kupcho's elation was mixed with relief as she struggled with a migraine and blurred vision from the eighth through 11th holes that threatened to scuttle her title hopes. "I actually got a migraine on the eighth green and kind of over to the left I just couldn't see it was blurry," said Kupcho. "I told my caddie I'm looking for you to read the putts and tell me where to hit it and I will do my best to hit it there.

"Amazing enough, I have gotten these migraines before so I knew the blurriness would go away and I would just have a headache. On the 11th tee was where it finally started to go away and I could finally see."

The Masters is often decided on the back nine on a Sunday and that was the case for the women who played their final round on Saturday, as Kupcho played the final six holes in five under.

Showing why she is the world's top-ranked amateur, the 21-year-old carded birdies at 15, 16 and 18 along with a brilliant eagle on the par five 13th that wiped out Fassi's two stroke lead.

Opened for play in 1933, Augusta National became the private sanctuary for some of the world's most powerful men and it was almost 80 years before the club welcomed its first women members in 2012, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore.

GREAT STAGES

After the opening two rounds of the 54-hole tournament were held at Champions Retreat in nearby Evans, the women finally got the opportunity to step on to one of the sport's great stages.

The first competitive round played by women at Augusta National attracted a large crowd but it was not the typical gallery seen at the Masters.

The crowd more resembled one you might find at a U.S. women's soccer game with plenty of teenage girls and mothers and fathers with children in tow.

While the sight of women battling for a trophy was new for Augusta National, so were the sounds as the galleries offered encouragement with shouts of "Atta girl" and "Way to go girls".

There were plenty of Augusta members in their iconic green jackets who mingled among the crowd cheering on the golfers while others offered support on social media.

"So cool seeing these women live out their dreams right now," tweeted Rory McIlroy, who will be in Augusta next week looking to complete a career grand slam.

Following a Masters tradition, the round began with ceremonial tee shots. LPGA greats Nancy Lopez, Pak Se-ri, Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam did the honours.

After American Anna Redding struck the first competitive shot, the focus shifted to Kupcho and Fassi, the two close friends and college rivals sharing an emotional hug before teeing off.

The two embraced again on the 18th green, promising more battles in the future.

"I did all I could, she played a great game she finished really strong and I am really proud of her and I know we are going to be battling for wins in the future," said Fassi. "Yes we were competing against each other but we were friends before all of that.

"Making it at Augusta National, being the first time, it is just a dream come true." 

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ed Osmond)

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Reed edges Fowler, Spieth to capture Masters thriller

AUGUSTA -- Fending off epic challenges from three top rivals in a dramatic Masters final round, Patrick Reed captured his first major title Sunday, grinding out a one-shot victory at Augusta National.

The 27-year-old US Ryder Cup firebrand showed the same grit he displays in match-play battles, dispatching Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy in an emotional battle that had spectators roaring.

"Today was probably the hardest mentally a round of golf can possibly be," Reed said. "I knew it was going to be a dogfight."

Reed, whose breakthrough came in his 17th major start, fired a 1-under par 71 to finish 72 holes on 15-under 273, one stroke ahead of Fowler with Spieth third on 275 and Spain's Jon Rahm fourth on 276.

"Having to shoot under par in the final round to win my first major, it was awesome," Reed said. "It was really satisfying."

In addition to the iconic winner's green jacket, Reed pocketed $1.98 million from an $11 million purse.

Reigning British Open champion Spieth, the 2015 Masters champion and twice a runner-up, matched the low final-round in Augusta National history with a 64, a closing bogey thwarting his bid for the biggest comeback to win in Masters history.

"I started nine back," Spieth said. "I wanted to shoot a low round and see if something crazy happens."

Fowler, still seeking his first major win, birdied six of the last 11 holes. He sank a 7-foot birdie putt on 18 to pull within one and keep Reed under pressure to the 72nd hole.

"We gave our all out there and made P-Reed earn it," Fowler said. "I was happy to make that last putt."

Needing a two-putt par from 25 feet at 18 to win, Reed gently tapped the first putt and saw it race four feet past the cup. He sank the comeback effort and pumped his fist in celebration.

"To have to two-putt the last hole to win my first major, it definitely felt right," Reed said. "I was glad to end the drought."

Reed's last-pair partner McIlroy kept near on the front nine, chasing his dream of a Masters win to complete a career Grand Slam, but managed only one birdie in the last 14 holes.

"I just didn't quite have it," the Northern Ireland star said. "When I did have opportunities I didn't take advantage of them.

"Tough day. But I'll be back."

Reed said his ability to three times answer bogeys with birdies quickly was pivotal.

"It was huge, especially with Rickie and Rory," Reed said. "I knew if Jordan made some birdies, he was far enough ahead he'd run out of holes and I'd have more opportunities."

Reed, who had never cracked 70 in 12 Masters rounds before this week, became the fourth straight first-time Masters winner and the ninth first-time winner in the past 10 majors.

Reed's approach at the par-5 13th clung to a bank above Rae's Creek, his title bid nestled with it, but he escaped with par to stay deadlocked with Spieth for the lead at 14-under.

Reed sank an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-4 14th to regain a one-stroke lead and parred to the clubhouse to win.

Spieth clipped a tree branch off the 18th tee and needed three to reach the green, where he missed an 8-foot par putt that would have seen him match the 18-hole course record.

Spieth was only the seventh player to shoot 64 in the last round, the first since Bo Van Pelt in 2012.

- Hoffman aces 16, DJ No. 1 -

American Charley Hoffman aced the par-3 16th with a 6-iron, the 20th time the hole has surrendered a hole-in-one.

And his playing partner, compatriot Tony Finau, birdied six consecutive holes from the 12th to 17th but missed a 10-footer at 18 that would have tied the Masters record birdie streak.

World number one Dustin Johnson fired a 69 to share 10th on 281 and retain his rankings lead. Spieth, Rahm or Justin Thomas could have overtaken him by winning.

- Tiger roars late -

Tiger Woods, playing his first major event since 2015 in a comeback from nagging back pain and spinal fusion surgery, fired a 69, his week's low round.

"It was possibly the highest score I could have shot today," Woods said. "All in all it was a bittersweet ending."

The 14-time major champion sank a 29-foot eagle putt at the par-5 15th and birdied 17 but a closing bogey denied his goal of level par overall.

Woods, a four-time Masters champion, failed to deliver on promise showed in two top-5 tuneup finishes but said he was glad to be back.

"I really missed it," Woods said. "I made too many mistakes. But overall it was a lot of fun. It felt great to be able to compete again."

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Reed moves three clear at Masters as McIlroy lurks

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Patrick Reed used a pair of back-nine eagles to fight off a spirited charge from Rory McIlroy on Saturday and open up a three-shot cushion going into the final round of the U.S. Masters, where he will try to capture his first major title.

Reed, who began the day with a two-shot lead, took full advantage of a damp Augusta National layout with a five-under 67 that left him on 14-under for the week and staring down a leaderboard filled with some of the biggest names in golf.

The former Augusta State University standout has never before held the 54-hole lead in a major championship but remains adamant that he is not about to change anything at this point.

"Mentally, I'm just treating it like any other golf tournament, any other round," Reed told reporters. "Just go out and do what I know how to do, which is hit the ball somewhat straight, knock it on the green and let the putter work."

A five-times winner on the PGA Tour, Reed has dominated the par-fives -- 13-under for the week -- but kicked it up a notch late in the round with eagles at the 13th and 15th holes, the latter when he chipped in from 27 yards.

The 27-year-old American, competing in his fifth Masters, had never broken 70 at Augusta National prior to this week but has been nearly untouchable and his three-round total is only four shots off the tournament's record-winning score.

Northern Irishman McIlroy sits alone in second place after he capped his seven-under 65 with a 17-foot birdie putt and will have his best shot yet at trying to complete his collection of golf's four major titles.

McIlroy had already made three birdies before a chip-in eagle at the eighth and then scrambled to save par after his ball found the azaleas behind the 13th green. He added two more birdies, including his emphatic putt on the final green.

McIlroy, who threw away a four-shot lead in the final round at Augusta in 2011 when he was still chasing a maiden major, has since captured wins at each of golf's three other blue riband events and is closer than ever to completing his collection.

RYDER CUP REUNION

"I feel like all aspects of my game are in really good shape, and I'm much more relaxed," McIlroy said.

"This isn't my first time in this position now. I've been able to close the deal a few times before this, and I have that to fall back on tomorrow."

The four-times major winner will play alongside Reed in the final round where the two will renew their duel from the 2016 Ryder Cup where they traded birdies in a scintillating stretch of oneupmanship that was soon deemed a classic.

Rickie Fowler, considered one of the world's best players without a major title to his name, equalled McIlroy for the low round of the week with a seven-under 65 that left him alone in third place, five back of Reed.

Spaniard Jon Rahm (65) eagled the par-five eighth during a flawless round that also included five birdies to sit alone in fourth place, six shots off the lead, and one shot clear of Swede Henrik Stenson (70).

Sitting a further shot back were twice winner Bubba Watson (68), England's Tommy Fleetwood (66) and Australian Marc Leishman (73).

Tiger Woods, who began the day 13 shots behind Reed, failed to mount any sort of charge. The American opened with two bogeys en route to an even-par 72 that ended any slim hopes he may have had of slipping on the Green Jacket for a fifth time on Sunday.

The former world number one came into the week as one of the favourites after showing solid form this year in his comeback from injury but failed to conjure up any of the old magic he once seemed to produce on command at Augusta National.

"It's been scratchy this week. I just haven't gotten it done," Woods lamented. "I feel like I'm driving it better than I have all year, but I am not capitalising on it. And when I did miss, I missed in the wrong spots."

(Editing by John O'Brien)

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Woods poised to hog spotlight in Masters opening round

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Tiger Woods was paired with Australian Marc Leishman and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood on Tuesday for the opening round of the U.S. Masters, the year's first major.

While Fleetwood and Leishman have been thrust into the spotlight and will be followed by massive galleries on Thursday, they will be the invisible men alongside Woods who will make his first start in three years at Augusta National.

Woods is back in Green Jacket contention after a string of injuries and surgeries and, with a 10:42 tee time, the Augusta marshals will be put to the test with huge crowds lining the first hole to catch a glimpse of the four-time Masters champion.

The buzz is unlikely to affect his playing partners, though, with Leishman having played in the final pairing with winner and compatriot Adam Scott at the 2013 Masters while Fleetwood was in contention at last year's U.S. Open, finishing tied for fourth.

While Leishman was excited about the prospect of sharing the stage with Woods, his six-year-old son Harvey was not nearly as impressed.

"My son’s only just learnt about him (Woods)," explained Leishman. "'How many trophies has he won daddy?' 79. 'How many have you won?' 3. 'Oh, OK.'

"Anytime you get a pairing like that I guess it’s a compliment. It’s the biggest stage.

"Yeah, I’m excited about it."

Following Woods' group out will be a threesome featuring reigning champion Sergio Garcia, another hot favourite in American world number two Justin Thomas, winner of the last major, the PGA Championship, and amateur Doc Redman.

Twice Masters champion Bubba Watson, who arrives in Augusta in top form after winning the WGC Match Play Championship, is part of a marquee group of major champions that includes Swede Henrik Stenson, the 2016 British Open champion, and Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner.

Among the late starters is a high profile trio featuring 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia, four time major winner Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and big-hitting Spaniard Jon Rahm.

Phil Mickelson, winner of five majors, including three Green Jackets, will be partnered with two players looking to make a major breakthrough in fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar.

Two players among the last group of the day could make an impact on the leaderboard, with Briton Justin Rose, runner-up for the Green Jacket twice in the last three years, and American world number one Dustin Johnson, eager to claim another major. 

(Additional reporting by Andrew Both. Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)

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All eyes on Tiger at Masters practice as tension builds

AUGUSTA -- Tiger Woods excited fans and rivals alike by practicing Monday at the Masters, the 14-time major champion totally healthy at Augusta National for the first time in five years.

Woods, and the potential for his first major victory since the 2008 US Open and first Masters win since 2005, was the talk of the course, even with a dozen other stars on peak form ahead of Thursday's start of the year's first major championship.

"When Tiger walked onto the range there was an anticipation and excitement from the crowd to watch him compete again," said Britain's Justin Rose, last year's Masters runner-up and the 2013 US Open champion.

Woods hasn't won a title since 2013 but after failed comebacks and four back surgeries, the last a spinal fusion, he's a contender again at age 42.

"I got a second chance on life," Woods said on his website. "I am a walking miracle."

Woods shared second at the PGA Valspar Championship and fifth at Bay Hill in his Masters tuneups.

"This year is going to be different," Woods said. "This year I'm healthy. I can play and I can compete."

Former world number one Woods, now ranked 103, practiced with Fred Couples and 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas as fans flocked to watch every shot for a hint of the magic that brought him Masters titles in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005.

"When it comes to Tiger and the Tigermania that comes with it, that everyone wants to see him win and play the way he did before," said Australian Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner. "Everyone's kind of champing at the bit for him to get here and see how he's moving and everything."

Thomas, Rose and top-ranked Dustin Johnson plus multiple major winners Rory McIlroy -- seeking a career Grand Slam with a win -- and Jordan Spieth all enter the Masters playing well. But the biggest roars are for Woods.

"There's a number of guys that are playing really nice," Day said. "But everyone is kind of solely focused on Tiger and what he's going to do here and seeing if he can get to number 15.

"That's fine with us. I can just focus on what I need to do to try and win.

"There's going to be a buzz around Augusta this week with Tiger being on the grounds and it's going to be exciting to see, but everyone else has got a game plan to do. They've got to try and be the person that's going to slip on that green jacket on Sunday."


- Forgotten Tiger feats? -

Day said the 10-year major drought had people forgetting what Woods has done, his major title total four shy of the all-time record of Jack Nicklaus and his 79 PGA wins three off Sam Snead's record.

"I think a lot of people quickly forgot what he had accomplished in his career as he got injured and was out for a while," Day said. "That's just life. Everyone lives fast now. Everyone wants instant gratification.

"Now that he's back and he looks kind of where he was before, everyone's getting that taste back in there, like, oh, let's see what he can do."

Woods and Spieth are Las Vegas oddsmaker favorites with McIlroy, Thomas and Johnson just behind followed by Rose, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson.

"We're all favorites," two-time Masters winner Watson said. "We're all good enough to win out here."

- Tiger 'going to threaten' -

But Woods has wily veterans admiring how he is hitting the ball further off the tee despite spinal fusion.

"He's going to threaten," three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo said. "He has the potential. His game is amazing. I think he's ahead of schedule.

"How he has found five more mph in clubhead speed in his 40s after a fused back is unbelievable."

Two-time winner Bernhard Langer noted that Woods's return was just one of the week's great storylines.

"You've got great champions at all ages and they all seem to have a possible chance," the 60-year-old German said. "That's fantastic leading up to the tournament."

Sergio Garcia, who won his first major title after 73 failed attempts at last year's Masters, will try to join Woods, Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the only back-to-back Masters winners.


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Golf: Jason Day fires a 74 in Masters opening round

Jason Day finished the opening round of the Masters with a 2-over 74 on Thursday, a score he shared with 14 others.

The Australian golfer, whose mother hails from Leyte, fell into some problems early, finishing No. 3 and No. 11 with a bogey and double bogey respectively.

The world No. 3 recovered a bit with birdies on Nos. 15 and 16, but stumbled again on the 17th with another bogey.

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and 2-time champion Bubba Watson of the US also ended up with a 74.

Day, whose best finish at Augusta National was a tie for 2nd in 2011, was 9 shots behind Charley Hoffman, who shot a 65.

The unheralded Hoffman took a four-shot lead after high winds punished the world's top golfers and favorite Dustin Johnson withdrew injured.

Hoffman, 40, posted a 7-under in conditions described by one former Masters winner as "borderline" unplayable.

He snatched the lead over 2nd-placed fellow American William McGirt on a day of high drama that saw world No. 1 Johnson pull out following a freak accident.

Hoffman's 4-stroke lead is the largest at the Masters after 18 holes since 1955, when Jack Burke led by the same margin over Julius Boros.

In the difficult conditions, Hoffman said he set out to shoot for par but "got a little bit lucky."

"For lack of any better words, it was a dream," he said.

England's Lee Westwood, 43, still looking for a major title after 75 attempts, was in 3rd place a shot further back on 70 on a day when top contenders suffered in difficult conditions on the 7,435-yard Augusta National course.

Johnson agonized for 24 hours before pulling out after a serious fall on the eve of the tournament left him in pain from a lower back injury.

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Day smiling again, focuses on Masters after difficult time

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Augusta National is a happy place for many elite golfers and the smell of Azaleas and Georgia pines had a smile back on Jason Day's face on Tuesday as the Australian wrapped up a U.S. Masters practice round.

While it was the type of sun-kissed morning that had everyone from Augusta groundskeepers to Green Jacketed members grinning from ear-to-ear, Day had much more to smile about as he reported his mother Dening was winning her battle with lung cancer and might even make it to the Masters to cheer on her son.

It was a far different Day facing the world's media on Tuesday from the emotionally shattered young man who announced he was pulling out of the WGC-Dell Match Play after a handful of holes last month as tears of despair dripped down his face while he explained he had to go be with his mother.

Certainly it has not been the ideal buildup to the year's first major for Day, dealing with his mother's illness, a sore back and a stalled campaign that has produced just one top-10 finish.

The world number three will consider himself a big winner this week no matter what the result.


"As everyone knows, my mum, she went through a successful surgery on her left lung and she was told by the doctor, don't have to do chemo," a beaming Day told reporters. "I feel kind of a lot lighter in a sense that my mind is not weighing very much heavily on the situation that my mum was going through.

"So to be able to have that happen and then be able to come here and get my mind off things, is quite nice."

A return to the Masters has been a form of therapy for Day who has gained comfort from sharing his pain and insecurities with his wider golfing family.

"I feel like everyone is my family now because I've been hurt in front of you guys, I've cried in front of you guys now, practically everything," said Day. "The only thing I haven't done is showered in front of you guys yet.

"I'm in a really good situation being able to sit up here in front of you guys and be able to talk about the situations that I'm going through and to be able to tell you honestly and truthfully from what's coming inside my heart."

Not all Masters memories are happy ones.

Day has had his share of heartache at Augusta National finishing runner-up in 2011 and letting a two-shot lead with three holes to play slip away in 2013 and watching compatriot Adam Scott become the first Australian to don the Green Jacket.

But after recent events a reflective and philosophical Day was better able to put his career and life into perspective. "We're very selfish in our ways," said Day. "You just forget that maybe you should have spent a little bit more time with your family and spending more time with them and just enjoying your life.

"We're all going to go at some point and we have to enjoy ourselves while we're here."

(Editing by Andrew Both)

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Fil-Aussie Day seizes one-shot lead in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Georgia – Filipino-Australian Jason Day put himself in prime position once again to end Australia's Masters jinx when he fired a four-under-par 68 to seize the lead at the halfway mark of the year's first major championship on Friday.

Day curled in a 13-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th hole to break a three-way tie and finish at six-under-par 138 on a difficult day of swirling winds and tricky pin placements at Augusta National.

The 25-year-old Day, a runner-up in the Masters and U.S. Open in 2011, wielded a hot putter to notch 10 one-putts in his quest to become the first Australian to claim a green jacket.

"Obviously there's a lot of pressure on my shoulders, being from Australia and no Australian has ever won the event," said Day, who withdrew from last year's Masters because of an ankle injury.

"It's all how you look at it. If you look at it as pressure, you're going to worry about it more. If you look at it as a challenge and an opportunity to be the first and stay positive with it, it only motivates you to play well."

Day's right-to-left putt at 16 snapped a three-way tie at five-under with compatriot Marc Leishman and 1992 champion Fred Couples atop an impressive leaderboard.

The smooth-swinging Couples, 53, birdied the last for 71, while Leishman, the overnight co-leader after an opening 66, shot 73 to join him on 139.

Tiger Woods was part of a four-way logjam at five-under when he suffered a cruel bit of bad luck as his third shot into the par-five 15th struck the stick on the fly and rebounded back into the pond fronting the green.

Woods, who up until that point was the only player of 93 in the field without a bogey in his round, hit his fifth shot within three feet to save bogey.

A three-putt at the 18th gave world number one Woods another bogey for a 71 that dropped him to three-under 141, three shots off the pace.

The 14-times major winner, looking for his first major triumph in five years and first Masters win since 2005, was not dismayed.

"My ball striking was so good today," a confident Woods said. "Even my misses were on top of flags."

Angel Cabrera of Argentina, the 2009 Masters champion, made a sizzling finish to join a three-way tie on four under par with Jim Furyk (71) and Brandt Snedeker (70). Cabrera birdied four in a row and five of the last six holes for his 69.

Joining Woods on 141 were Australian Adam Scott (72), Britons Lee Westwood (71), Justin Rose (71) and David Lynn (73), American Jason Dufner (69) and K.J. Choi of South Korea (71).

Day nearly extended his lead by a stroke to seven under par when he gave himself a birdie chance at the 17th hole, but the Australian slid his putt just by the edge of the cup.

Long-hitting Dustin Johnson actually did reach seven-under after birdies at the fourth, ninth, 10th and 13th holes.

A bogey for Johnson at 14 was followed by double-bogey at the par-five 15th, bogey at 17 and another double-bogey at the last that sent him crashing to one-under-par 143.

Damp start

A damp and dreary start to Friday's play gave way to sunshine and roars with eagles and birdies flying, before swirling winds thoroughly tested the golfers.

Day was stymied by the wind at the par-three 12th where a sudden change in direction contributed to his hitting the ball on the bank short of the green, where it trickled down into Rae's Creek on his way to a bogey-four.

The Australian recovered with a birdie at the par-five 13th.

Sergio Garcia of Spain teed off with a share of the lead after his 66, but soared to a 76 to finish on two-under 142.

Day's missed birdie chance at 17 saved the day for China's 14-year-old Guan Tianlang, who posted a 75 that included a penalty stroke for slow play that put him at four-over 148.

Guan squeezed into weekend play by being within 10 shots of the lead.

The youngest competitor ever at the Masters, Asia-Pacific Amateur champion Guan became the youngest player to make the cut at a major championship and clinched the silver cup awarded to the low amateur at the Masters.

Also advancing to the last two rounds was 2012 winner Bubba Watson who shot 73 for his 148 total.

Sixty-one players made the cut.

Among those missing were former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell (149) and his fellow Ryder Cup team mate Ian Poulter (151), former British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen (150) and U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson (149). (Editing by Frank Pingue/Greg Stutchbury)

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