Spieth Still in Charge at Masters


Jordan Spieth overcame a double-bogey on the 17th hole to remain in command of the 79th Masters. The 21-year-old from Dallas carded a 2-under 70 Saaturday for a four-stroke lead heading into the final round at golf's first major championship of the year.

Starting the third round with a five-stroke edge over the field after setting a new Masters' record of 14-under 130 for 36 holes, Spieth posted seven birdies, three bogeys and the double on the penultimate par-4 to reach 16-under 200. He'll be paired in the final twosome with Justin Rose, who matched the low round of the day, a 5-under 67.

Thanks to two straight birdies on the par-5 15th and par-3 16th, Spieth matched Tiger Woods' all-time mark of 18-under par set in 1997. But that number was only temporary as, after finding the pines right of the 17th fairway with his drive and smartly hitting through the trees to a depression right-front of the 17th green, his pitch came up short and it took three more strokes to get in the hole.

On the par-4 18th, Spieth hit a great drive and then pushed his approach into the gallery right of the green. But the two-time PGA Tour winner rescued his round by hitting a spectacular flop shot to 8 feet and pouring in the par putt. His 200 total established a new 54-hole record at Augusta National.

"It was huge," the 21-year-old Spieth said during a TV interview about his final shot of the day. "Just to see one go in after the disappointment there at 17. I don't recommend ever hitting it there. Very pleased with having that putt roll right in to get some momentum."

Spieth, who's playing in only his second Masters (he finished tied for second last year, three strokes behind winner Bubba Watson), admitted that after his finish early Friday afternoon he had a long time to think about Saturday. "I had 24 hours from the time I finished until the time I teed off. That's a long time to sit on a lead like that. All in all I kept it together with the putter."

He's hoping for redemption after the disappointment of last year. "All the time," Spieth noted of carrying his thoughts from 2014. "We always think of Masters' week. This is the greatest week in our sport. Last year definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. I've been looking to get some revenge. I've still got a long way to go."

Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, is looking forward to his pairing with Spieth on Sunday at the Masters. "That's going to be a fantastic experience. Justin is playing great. I can keep my eye on him."

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will be in the next-to-last group with fellow San Diegan Charley Hoffman, who was paired with Spieth Saturday and managed a 71 thanks to a birdie on the last.

Mickelson fired the day's low round of 67 that included to seven birdies and two bogeys. He could have played with Spieth on Sunday but just missed a birdie try on 18.

Mickelson carded four birdies on the front nine to make the turn in 4-under 32. "I felt I had to get off to a good start," Mickelson said, adding that the pins on the outward nine were more accessible than those on the final nine. "On the back I got two bogeys. It was a good round. The golf course was just stupendous today. It was a fun day to play."

Mickelson, who wore pink Saturday in tribute to Arnold Palmer, said he'll wear all-black Sunday, a color scheme he donned on Sundays of his three previous victories at Augusta. Of the black clothing, he said with a grin, "I need to play aggressive tomorrow."

The third-to-last group will be comprised of two multiple major winners, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (four majors) and Tiger Woods (14, including four green jackets). Each player shot 68s to enter Sunday 10 strokes behind Spieth. Woods is playing in his first tournament since February.

McIlroy, the top-ranked player in the world and seeking a win in three straight majors, carded an eagle on the par-5 second and two birdies on Nos. 8 and 9 to make the turn in 32. After birdies on the 13th and 15th holes, McIlroy bogeyed the 16th and 18th holes to get to 6-under 210 through 54 holes.

"I've put myself in good position, tried to hit it in the middle of the green and take my two-putts, rolled one in for eagle at the second today,'' the 25-year-old told reporters. "Just played them a little more conservatively or smartly and missed it in the right areas when I haven't.

"I'll try and get off to a good start like I did today," McIlroy added. "If I do that it really depends . . . if I was to go out and shoot 30, I'm going to need something around 61 or 62 to have a chance. Not sure that's going to happen."

Woods opened with four birdies on the front and came home with two more birdies against two bogeys. "I had my chances to make this a really special round today," he said. "Man, I had it going there for a little bit. I made a stupidly good birdie at 13 and a stupidly bad bogey at 14. You know, it all evens out."

Also at 210 are Wednesday's Par-3 Contest winner, Kevin Streelman, who carded his third consecutive 70, Kevin Na (70) and Dustin Johnson (73). Sharing 10th at 211 are Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (70) and England's Paul Casey (74).

England's Ian Poulter equaled Saturday's low round of 67 to rise into a tie for 12th at 212 with 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson (68), Australia's Jason Day (71), Sweden's Jonas Blixt (70), South African Louis Oosthuizen (71) and Bill Haas (72).

After opening with two straight 71s, Watson posted a 73 to enter Sunday at 215.

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