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McIlroy moves four clear - Latest Sports News

Written By Sizzling LEO on Saturday, April 9, 2011 | 10:04 PM

Cabrera moves into contention, Woods drops back after bogey finish


Rory McIlroy will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the Masters after a 70 left him well clear at the top of the leaderboard on 12 under.

The Northern Irishman had started moving day two clear but at one stage found himself in a three-way tie at the summit following a bogey at the 10th.

But the 21-year-old recovered impressively, picking up three birdies during his final six holes, the last of them coming at the 17th thanks to a superb putt from the back of the green, to open up a sizeable cushion.

Jason Day - playing alongside McIlroy for the third straight day - had briefly taken over the lead thanks to three early birdies but his challenge faded slightly after that, a double bogey at the 13th pushing him back to eight under.
Heavenly Angel

Instead it will be Angel Cabrera, who signed for a superb 67, who will go out in the last pairing as he, along with Day, sits in a four-way tie for second.

South African Charl Schwartzel (68) and Korean KJ Choi (71) are also on the same score, with Luke Donald and Adam Scott are a further shot adrift.


However it is McIlroy who is the man to catch on Sunday, meaning he is in pole position to claim his maiden major at the tender age of 21.

"It feels good - I'm in a great position," he said. "I stayed really patient and I'm really happy with how I stuck to my game plans. It paid off in the end.

"I've been saying all week I feel comfortable and I'm posting good numbers."

He had three-putted the sixth and then bogeyed the seventh before turning around his fortunes with a crucial late flourish in the fading light at Augusta.

Tiger Woods had been looming large after a stunning second round, one that included nine birdies, that saw him begin to show signs of his old self.

The American, though, looked a shadow of his former self again on Saturday, a bogey at the last seeing him have to settle for a two-over 74 that left him back on five under, just the seven shots adrift of McIlroy.

"I'm pleased with the way I played, I just made nothing," Woods said. "I hit so many putts that looked like they were going in and then didn't go in."

Asked about his chances, the former world number one added: "I'm going to have to put together a good front nine, then see what happens. I'm in a position where I'm just going to have to go out and play a good round."

Great Scott

Cabrera certainly made a move, carding a five-under score that was also matched by Scott, putting the latter in the hunt - along with Day (72) - to become the first Australian to don a green jacket.

"I played well today. I struggled with my rhythm on my swing for the first couple days but today on the range it all just came into place," Scott said.

"A lot can happen, especially around the back nine with the par fives. Eagles and birdies seem to be flying in this week."

The only role defending champion Phil Mickelson looks set to play on Sunday will be to put the jacket onto the shoulders of the man who will succeed him - the American managed a one-under-par 71 to sit on three under.

Lee Westwood's hopes of going one better than last year are also over after his 74 saw him plummet from seventh to level with Mickelson in a tie for 18th.

Any slims chances Ian Poulter and Justin Rose had of making a dramatic jump up the leaderboard also disappeared when both Englishmen signed for 71s, leaving them at two under and one under respectively.
 
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