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Tiger Woods poised to strike as Francesco Molinari leads Masters

By Rob Hodgetts, CNN

Updated 8:33 PM ET, Sat April 13, 2019

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Tiger Woods punched the air to tumultuous applause and chants of "Tiger, Tiger" as he sealed his 15th major title.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Day four – Tiger Woods punched the air to tumultuous applause and chants of "Tiger, Tiger" as he sealed his 15th major title.
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Woods was bidding for a fifth Green Jacket, 14 years after his last.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Woods was bidding for a fifth Green Jacket, 14 years after his last.
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Alongside Woods chasing leader Francesco Molinari were Justin Harding (left) of South Africa and American Xander Schauffele.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Alongside Woods chasing leader Francesco Molinari were Justin Harding (left) of South Africa and American Xander Schauffele.
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Former US PGA champion Jason Day of Australia was also in contention.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Former US PGA champion Jason Day of Australia was also in contention.
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Italy's British Open champion Molinari was the leader after three rounds at Augusta.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Day three – Italy's British Open champion Molinari was the leader after three rounds at Augusta.
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Woods was two shots back and within touching distance of a fifth Green Jacket and 15th major title.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Woods was two shots back and within touching distance of a fifth Green Jacket and 15th major title.
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American Tony Finau sat alongside Woods. Finau dislocated his ankle in the par-3 contest ahead of his debut in last year's Masters.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
American Tony Finau sat alongside Woods. Finau dislocated his ankle in the par-3 contest ahead of his debut in last year's Masters.
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Masters patrons were treated to an electric day of golf at Augusta Saturday.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Masters patrons were treated to an electric day of golf at Augusta Saturday.
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Saturday is known as Moving Day and if you weren't going forwards you were going backwards.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Saturday is known as Moving Day and if you weren't going forwards you were going backwards.
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England's Ian Poulter played alongside Woods and said afterwards it had been "fun."
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
England's Ian Poulter played alongside Woods and said afterwards it had been "fun."
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Hospitality at Augusta is famous for offering affordable food and beverage options.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Hospitality at Augusta is famous for offering affordable food and beverage options.
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Finau was the first player in the field to reach 10 under par after a dazzling start Saturday.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Finau was the first player in the field to reach 10 under par after a dazzling start Saturday.
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Phil Mickelson is bidding for a fourth Green Jacket and sixth major title at the age of 48.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Phil Mickelson is bidding for a fourth Green Jacket and sixth major title at the age of 48.
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Rickie Fowler is arguably the "best player never to have win a major."
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Rickie Fowler is arguably the "best player never to have win a major."
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Molinari made his first visit to Augusta as caddie for his older brother Edoardo in 2006.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Molinari made his first visit to Augusta as caddie for his older brother Edoardo in 2006.
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Veteran Mickelson was playing his 100th round at the Masters Friday.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Day two – Veteran Mickelson was playing his 100th round at the Masters Friday.
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Play was suspended for a while because of the threat of thunderstorms in the Augusta area.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Play was suspended for a while because of the threat of thunderstorms in the Augusta area.
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Italy's Francesco Molinari, the British Open champion, set the early pace and pushed the lead to seven under.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Italy's Francesco Molinari, the British Open champion, set the early pace and pushed the lead to seven under.
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Left-hander Mickelson could become the oldest Masters champion -- he is only three shots off the lead.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Left-hander Mickelson could become the oldest Masters champion -- he is only three shots off the lead.
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First round co-leader Brooks Koepka struggled early on day two but rallied to share a five-way tie for the lead at seven under.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
First round co-leader Brooks Koepka struggled early on day two but rallied to share a five-way tie for the lead at seven under.
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The weather warning came just as Tiger Woods was beginning his move up the leaderboard.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
The weather warning came just as Tiger Woods was beginning his move up the leaderboard.
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Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, pushed the lead to eight under before dropping back into the pack at seven under.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 champion, pushed the lead to eight under before dropping back into the pack at seven under.
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England's Justin Rose, runner-up two years ago, had a Masters to forget as he missed the cut.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
England's Justin Rose, runner-up two years ago, had a Masters to forget as he missed the cut.
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The other first round co-leader Bryson DeChambeau went backwards Friday.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
The other first round co-leader Bryson DeChambeau went backwards Friday.
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Woods hit a stunning tee shot to 12 before the siren went to suspend play because of thunderstorms.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Woods hit a stunning tee shot to 12 before the siren went to suspend play because of thunderstorms.
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England's Ian Poulter kept up his challenge for a maiden major title with another good round at Augusta.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
England's Ian Poulter kept up his challenge for a maiden major title with another good round at Augusta.
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World No.2 Dustin Johnson was in a group on six under alongside Woods at the halfway stage.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
World No.2 Dustin Johnson was in a group on six under alongside Woods at the halfway stage.
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Tiger Woods is chasing a fifth Masters title and first since 2005 at Augusta.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Day one – Tiger Woods is chasing a fifth Masters title and first since 2005 at Augusta.
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The 43-year-old won the last of his 14 majors in 2008 and is on the comeback from long-term back injury.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
The 43-year-old won the last of his 14 majors in 2008 and is on the comeback from long-term back injury.
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Following spine fusion surgery in 2017, Woods crowned a remarkable season last year with victory in the Tour Championship, his first for five years.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Following spine fusion surgery in 2017, Woods crowned a remarkable season last year with victory in the Tour Championship, his first for five years.
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Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy needs the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam of all four major titles.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Pre-tournament favorite Rory McIlroy needs the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam of all four major titles.
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However, the 29-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a poor start on day one at Augusta.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
However, the 29-year-old Northern Irishman got off to a poor start on day one at Augusta.
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Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got the 83rd Masters under way as ceremonial starters Thursday.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got the 83rd Masters under way as ceremonial starters Thursday.
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Rickie Fowler, runner-up in 2018, is still chasing a first major title.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Rickie Fowler, runner-up in 2018, is still chasing a first major title.
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America's Fowler finished behind countryman Patrick Reed last year.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
America's Fowler finished behind countryman Patrick Reed last year.
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World No.2 Dustin Johnson finished strongly to end four under par, two off the lead.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
World No.2 Dustin Johnson finished strongly to end four under par, two off the lead.
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Former champion Jordan Spieth had a day to forget and ended three over.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Former champion Jordan Spieth had a day to forget and ended three over.
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Left-hander Bubba Watson is a two-time Masters champion.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Left-hander Bubba Watson is a two-time Masters champion.
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Veteran Phil Mickelson, 48, is chasing a fourth Green Jacket.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Veteran Phil Mickelson, 48, is chasing a fourth Green Jacket.
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Brooks Koepka pushed the lead to six under before being joined by Bryson DeChambeau.
Photos: The 2019 Masters Golf Tournament
Brooks Koepka pushed the lead to six under before being joined by Bryson DeChambeau.
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(CNN)If Saturday at the Masters was electric, Sunday could be supercharged.

The threat of severe thunderstorms has forced Augusta National officials to instigate a two-tee start in groups of three, with the leading trio of Francesco Molinari, Tiger Woods and Tony Finau off at 09:20 a.m. ET instead of in pairs mid afternoon.
The hope is to get the fireworks wrapped up on the course before they come down from the sky.
In Saturday's third round, if you weren't surging forwards you were going backwards.
    Four-time champion Woods parred his first four holes and was disappearing in the leaders' rear view mirror, but when he finally engaged gear at the seventh, he, too, roared up the leaderboard. A fifth birdie at the 16th sparked a tumultuous roar as he tied for the lead.
    Read More
    By the end of a sun-drenched, dazzling day of golf, Italy's British Open champion Molinari held a two-shot lead at 13 under over Woods and Finau going into the final round.
    Tiger Woods is bidding for a fifth Green Jacket at the Masters.
    Tiger Woods is bidding for a fifth Green Jacket at the Masters.

    'Great test'

    Woods, of course, is trying to pull off a fairytale comeback with a fifth Green Jacket 14 years after his last, and a 15th major 11 years after his previous triumph. Inspired by his comeback season last year from spine fusion surgery, including second at the US PGA and culminating in a first victory for five years at the Tour Championship, Woods is rekindling memories of his heyday.
    The 43-year-old has now been in white-hot contention in his last three majors and retains the steely focus of the old warrior.
    "This is a chance to win a major championship so I'm ready," he told BBC Sport, talking of Sunday's early start. Woods also said he was embracing the idea of adding to his major tally.
    "That's part of the deal," he said. "I'm playing for my fifth but I'm trying to win a golf tournament at the end of the day. I've just got to go out and execute. It's going to be a great test for all of us."
    READ: Tiger Woods' charge lights at Masters