Golf News

Hanson on fire as he takes lead

By Peter Auf der Heyde Apr 7, 2012, 22:47 GMT

Augusta, Georgia - Peter Hanson was on fire in Saturday's third round at the Masters as he roared into the lead with a seven-under par 65 at Augusta National.

The Swede, who started the round on two-under, played his only bogey of the round on the first hole and never looked back as he had three birdies going out and followed up with five on the back nine to stand nine-under for the tournament.

Hanson said that playing the first two rounds with Phil Mickelson had helped him a lot: 'It was a great experience playing with Mickelson, and I learnt a lot from him. I am sure I will have some difficulty in sleeping tonight, and all I want to do now is cook a meal with my family and then try to get as much rest as possible.'

Three-time champion Mickelson's round of 66 leaves him just one shot behind Hanson.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Hunter Mahan were in the clubhouse after playing four-under for the day, after starting on even-par, while Henrik Stenson was on four-under after his round of 70.

On the course, South African Louis Oosthuizen was looking strong on seven-under for the tournament with three holes to play, while Bubba Watson was on five-under.

Irishman Rory McIlroy, who was just one shot behind overnight leaders Jason Dufner and Fred Couples at the start of play, set the tone for his round on the opening hole as he played a double-bogey and from there things just went downhill.

He bogeyed the fifth, played a two-over on the seventh and another bogey at the eighth to turn around on 42. He dropped a shot on the 11th but finally managed his first birdie on the 12th. Another birdie on the 15th left him five-under with three holes to play.

The overnight leaders found the going much tougher on Saturday as they were both lying on one-over for the day and four-under for the tournament through the 14th hole.

Earlier, pre-Masters favourite Tiger Woods lost his cool again as he struggled in the third round.

The four-time champion, who started the day on three over, played just two birdies but also dropped two strokes as he shot an even par 72, which will leave him at least 11 behind the leaders at the end of the day.

Woods was visibly upset with his game, as he again threw a club to the ground in disgust after a poor shot.

He was particularly disappointed with the way he played the par-fives, where he traditionally picks up several shots. This time, he stands at just one-under for the six par-five holes over the three rounds.

Defending champion Charl Schwartzel had a disappointing three-over 75 for the day and, at six over for the tournament, will be too far behind the leaders to stand a chance to defend the title.

The final round of the Masters will be played Sunday.

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