Westwood keeps Mickelson at bay
Source: Agencies |
April 12, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITAIN'S Lee Westwood maintained ice-cool composure while fending off an electrifying back-nine charge by Phil Mickelson to take a one-shot lead after Saturday's third round of the US Masters.
While Tiger Woods clawed his way back into contention after losing his cool early on, Westwood fired a four-under-par 68 in glorious spring sunshine at Augusta National to post a 12-under total of 204.
Mickelson, a two-time Masters champion, carded a 67 to lie second with world No. 1 Woods and his playing partner K J Choi of South Korea a further stroke back at eight under after carding matching 70s.
Calm conditions, receptive greens and several accessible pins resulted in a glut of aggressive shot-making as the majestic Georgian pines at Augusta resonated with loud roars for birdies and eagles.
"It was probably one of those great days in golf at a major championship," Westwood told reporters after a well-crafted round featuring five birdies and a lone bogey at the 12th.
"You hear the cheers, but I didn't really pay any attention to it. I was well aware that somebody was making a charge, and I figured it was Phil. I think I'm ready," said the Englishman who is seeking a first major title.
In the final round, Westwood will have to execute in the company of Mickelson, who thrilled the crowds by covering 13, 14 and 15 with a stunning eagle-eagle-birdie run.
"I haven't played this way in a long time, and I feel great about my game," said the American, who briefly led by one before slipping back with a three-putt bogey at the 17th.
Woods, playing his first tournament in nearly five months after his double life was exposed at the end of last year, was delighted to be in contention for a 15th major title.
"At one point I was seven back," the four-time champion said after being warmly greeted by the huge crowds as he made his way up the 18th.
Mickelson, Masters champion in 2004 and 2006, treated the Augusta galleries to one of the most spectacular exhibitions of golf seen at the year's opening major.
He became only the third player to record successive eagles when he holed out from 141 yards at the par-four 14th, his ball pitching six feet beyond the hole before rolling back down the slope into the cup.
Mickelson, who had knocked in a six-footer to eagle the par-five 13th, raised his arms in disbelief.
Fellow-Americans Dan Pohl, in the third round of the 1982 Masters, and Dustin Johnson, in the fourth round last year, had previously posted back-to-back eagles at Augusta.
Mickelson came agonizingly close to a third successive eagle at the par-five 15th, his wedge approach there ending up six inches from the cup to give him a tap-in for birdie.
Ian Poulter, tied for the 36-hole lead with Westwood, shot a 74 and fell six shots back with Ricky Barnes (72) and Hunter Mahan (68).
While Tiger Woods clawed his way back into contention after losing his cool early on, Westwood fired a four-under-par 68 in glorious spring sunshine at Augusta National to post a 12-under total of 204.
Mickelson, a two-time Masters champion, carded a 67 to lie second with world No. 1 Woods and his playing partner K J Choi of South Korea a further stroke back at eight under after carding matching 70s.
Calm conditions, receptive greens and several accessible pins resulted in a glut of aggressive shot-making as the majestic Georgian pines at Augusta resonated with loud roars for birdies and eagles.
"It was probably one of those great days in golf at a major championship," Westwood told reporters after a well-crafted round featuring five birdies and a lone bogey at the 12th.
"You hear the cheers, but I didn't really pay any attention to it. I was well aware that somebody was making a charge, and I figured it was Phil. I think I'm ready," said the Englishman who is seeking a first major title.
In the final round, Westwood will have to execute in the company of Mickelson, who thrilled the crowds by covering 13, 14 and 15 with a stunning eagle-eagle-birdie run.
"I haven't played this way in a long time, and I feel great about my game," said the American, who briefly led by one before slipping back with a three-putt bogey at the 17th.
Woods, playing his first tournament in nearly five months after his double life was exposed at the end of last year, was delighted to be in contention for a 15th major title.
"At one point I was seven back," the four-time champion said after being warmly greeted by the huge crowds as he made his way up the 18th.
Mickelson, Masters champion in 2004 and 2006, treated the Augusta galleries to one of the most spectacular exhibitions of golf seen at the year's opening major.
He became only the third player to record successive eagles when he holed out from 141 yards at the par-four 14th, his ball pitching six feet beyond the hole before rolling back down the slope into the cup.
Mickelson, who had knocked in a six-footer to eagle the par-five 13th, raised his arms in disbelief.
Fellow-Americans Dan Pohl, in the third round of the 1982 Masters, and Dustin Johnson, in the fourth round last year, had previously posted back-to-back eagles at Augusta.
Mickelson came agonizingly close to a third successive eagle at the par-five 15th, his wedge approach there ending up six inches from the cup to give him a tap-in for birdie.
Ian Poulter, tied for the 36-hole lead with Westwood, shot a 74 and fell six shots back with Ricky Barnes (72) and Hunter Mahan (68).
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
