World number one Dustin Johnson will carry a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Masters, with Australian Cameron Smith right in the mix after another inspired late charge.
Key points:
- Dustin Johnson’s second round of 65 has him four shots in front with a round to play
- Cameron Smith is in a three-way tie for second after a run of birdies on the back nine
- No player in the past 30 years has won the Masters from outside the top four entering the final round
Johnson was the major mover on moving day at Augusta National, bursting clear from a five-way tie at the halfway mark into a commanding position entering championship Sunday (local time).
The American carded a third-round 7-under-par 65 to surge to 16-under for the tournament.
After starting the day equal top on the leaderboard, Smith ambled along in neutral until bursting to life midway through the back nine.
After opening with 12 straight pars, Smith bagged a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th to 15th to will his way back into contention.
His round of 69 thrust him to 12-under and into a tie for second spot with Korean Sungae Im (68) and fellow Presidents Cup teammate Abraham Ancer (69) from Mexico.
South African Dylan Frittelli (67) is outright fifth a further stroke behind at 11-under.
Spanish world number two Jon Rahm (71), American world number three Justin Thomas (71) are 10-under, one clear of former champion Patrick Reed (71) and two ahead of four-time major winner Brooks Koepka (69) and Northern Irish superstar Rory McIlroy (67) on an all-class and stacked leaderboard.
Seeking the green jacket to complete his career grand slam of majors, McIlroy steamed into contention with a brilliant round featuring six birdies and just one bogey.
But the man they all must catch is Johnson, who followed up an eagle three on the par-5 second with birdies on the third, fourth, seventh, 13th and 15th holes to seize command.
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Defending champion Tiger Woods is 5-under and 11 shots adrift of Johnson following a ho-hum round of 71.
Smith’s countrymen Marc Leishman (70) and Adam Scott (71) are 4- and 3-under respectively and need a Sunday miracle to move back into contention.
No player in the past 30 years has won the Masters from outside the top four entering the final round.
AAP
