UPDATE at 3:15 p.m.
AUGUSTA, Ga – Tiger Woods rolled in about a 15-foot putt for birdie on the first hole Saturday to start his third round at Augusta National. Woods, searching for his fifth Masters title in his first return after a five-month hiatus following the revelations of his martial infidelity, is 7 under for the tournament through two holes today.
After a routine par on No. 2, Woods rolled in a sliding, downhill putt for birdie at the third to get to 8 under.
Lee Westwood, who opened the third round in a tie with Ian Poulter, also made birdie at the first to move to 9 under.
Two-time Masters champ Phil Mickelson made birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 to get to 8 under.
Robert Allenby, who was in the first group and has already finished his round said the course is ripe for birdies today.
“It’s set up definitely for scoring,” he said. “It’s soft but quick.”
Check back for more updates and get complete coverage in Sunday’s Times Free Press.
AUGUSTA, Ga – The grounds at Augusta National are stirring. Patrons patrolling for keepsakes and moving to keep seats. Players at or just about the cut line are on the course banging around shots.
For the most part it’s relatively quiet. For now.
With a star-studded leaderboard that features two Englishmen ranked in the top 10 sharing the lead and golf’s two surefire stars that can be identified by just one name – Tiger and Phil – are just two back. Co-leaders Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood tee off at 2:45 this afternoon. Tiger Woods starts his third round at 2:35, and Phil Mickelson will go at 2:15 p.m.
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