AUGUSTA: Rory McIlroy's solo lead in the 75th Masters lasted just three holes in Saturday's third round before playing partner Jason Day drew level with him and then two holes later pulled ahead. The 23-year-old Australian fired a stunning 64 Friday, one shy of the course record held jointly by Nick Price and Greg Norman, and matching the best-ever second-round score at the Masters. And he took up Saturday where he left off with birdies at the second and third holes to get to 10-under for the tournament, level with the 21-year-old Ulsterman, who opened with three straight pars. McIlroy, however, moved back ahead with a magnificent tee-shot to four feet at the tough par-three fourth to bag a birdie before Day sunk a monster putt at the fifth, while McIlroy bogeyed. Ahead of them, Tiger Woods, who started the day tied for third with K.J. Choi three strokes off the pace, had an unsteady start with bogeys at the first and fourth against a birdie at the third to fall to six under. Choi stayed well in contention with a birdie at two followed by a bogey at the next hole to remain at seven-under. Before the leaders had set off, the chase was firmly on to get into prime position for Sunday's final round. Spain's back-to-form Sergio Garcia joined Choi and South African Charl Schwartzel at seven under with birdies at two, three, and five, while Australia's Adam Scott scooted up the leaderboard with an front nine of 33 and then an eagle at the par-five 13th to also stand at seven under. Also on the move were 2009 champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina, who went out in 33 to get to six under, level with fancied Englishman Luke Donald, who progressed to seven under at the turn. Brandt Snedeker, the American who came close in 2008 when he finished third behind Trevor Immelman, moved to seven-under thanks to an eagle at the second followed by a birdie at the next before bogeys at six and eight pegged him back. Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, saw his title defense founder after a promising start to the round with bogeys at four and 11. The 40-year-old Californian began the day on two under, eight strokes adrift of McIlroy, but he birdied the second and third to the delight of his army of fans. It was on Saturday last year that Mickelson made his big move going eagle-eagle-birdie from the 13th to demolish a five-stroke lead being enjoyed by England's Lee Westwood. The following day he won by three strokes for his third Masters victory. Only three players – Jack Nicklaus (1965, 66), (Tiger Woods (2001, 02) and Nick Faldo (1989, 90) – have successfully defended the title in 74 years of tournaments. On another scorching hot day at Augusta National, 49 survivors set out to position themselves for a Sunday run at Masters glory. Woods signalled a belated return to form by shooting a six-under 66 in Friday's second round, highlighted by a stunning back nine of 31. That totally changed the picture at Augusta National as Woods went from flirting with the cut to menacing the leaders. – Agence France
