Tiger Woods, hunting a third consecutive major title, enters unchartered territory at the Masters in Sunday's final round at a chilly Augusta National. Already perhaps the greatest player in history, the American world number one has never come from behind to claim one of golf's most prestigious crowns.
Gunning for his fifth green jacket at Augusta and a 13th major victory, Woods trailed pacesetting Australian Stuart Appleby by a shot after a wild third round that ended with no one under par for the first time in the tournament's history. The 31-year-old American bogeyed the last two holes for a level-par 72, matching the day's second best score after enduring bitterly cold temperatures and gusting winds.
Woods finished on three-over 219 and is scheduled to tee off with Appleby at 1415 local (1815 GMT) in the lead pairing. Although conditions were calmer at Augusta on Sunday morning and seven of the first 31 starters were under par for the day, winds are expected to gust to 15 mph in the afternoon. Woods, who has never lost a major when playing in the final group, is prepared for a final round of attrition and patience. "You can hit quality shots out there and just get absolutely hosed," he told reporters after carding his lowest round of the week on the dry, fast-running layout.
GETTING LUCKY:
"Hopefully you get committed to hit the proper shot and get lucky at the same time with the wind. Putts from two and three feet, you've got to play for a little bit of wind, and that's trouble out here."
Woods said the safest play coming into Augusta's slick, heavily contoured greens was often well away from the hole.
"You've got to be aggressive to your spots, and that's sometimes nowhere near a flag," he said. "But it's not like I'm a hundred back, so I got a shot at it. I'm looking forward to have an opportunity to win the championship."
Appleby, bidding to become the first Australian to win the coveted green jacket, accepts most fans are predicting another major success by Woods. "Look, Tiger has always got an advantage," the 35-year-old said after returning a 73 in the third round.
"Emotionally and mentally, he's a tough competitor and he knows how to tackle the golf course. He has more experience than what's left of this field put together. "But it will be a real fight, really tough for me, tough for everybody."
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