Tiger Woods poised to strike as Francesco Molinari leads Masters

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.

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.

PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

’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

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The Masters, Augusta —  

The opening major of the golf season is the Masters from Augusta, Georgia every April, although it is being held in November in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It's a spring rite, steeped in tradition and layered in rich sporting history and drama. It's an event that attracts even non-golfers because of the sublime beauty of the course. Click through the gallery for an A-Z of the Masters.

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A is for Augusta National —  

The revered course has hosted the year's opening major -- and the only one of the big four events to be played at the same course every year -- since 1934. A is also for the azaleas which traditionally blossom during Masters week and for Amen Corner, the infamous stretch of holes incorporating the 11th, the treacherous short 12th and the tee shot on the par-five 13th.

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B is for Beauty —  

The Georgian greensward is an oasis among the urban landscape of Augusta, Georgia's second city on the banks of the Savannah River. The bars, burger joints and shopping malls of neighboring Washington Road are in stark contrast to the golfing dreamscape over the fence. B is also for Seve Ballesteros, the Spaniard who opened the European floodgates with wins in 1980 and 1983.

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C is for Caddies —  

Augusta's caddies are instantly recognizable by their white jump suits. Before 1983, players had to use a club caddie, all of whom were local black men. Since then players have used their usual tour caddies, but they must still don the white suit and green cap.

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D is for Dos and Don'ts —  

The hallowed property is governed by its own strict rules such as no running or cell phones, but on the flip side traditions exist such as the practice of placing your green Masters chair at your preferred spot and being able to return to your vacant seat hours later.

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E is for Eisenhower —  

Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a member of Augusta National and several landmarks of his era remain, including Ike's Pond, the fishing lake he championed that is the focal point of the Par-3 Contest. Eisenhower's white cabin also sits near the clubhouse.

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F is for Fans (make that Patrons) —  

Visitors to Augusta National are known as patrons -- not fans or spectators or the crowd. Tickets are like gold dust, but a limited number of practice round tickets and tournament days are available through a yearly ballot. The waiting list for weekly tournament badges closed years ago.

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G is for Grand Slam —  

Rory McIlroy just needs the Masters to complete the Grand Slam of all four of golf's major titles. The Northern Irishman blew a four-shot lead at Augusta in 2011, but having won four majors in the meantime returns for his fifth shot at the Grand Slam this week. Only five others have achieved the feat -- Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. G is also for greens -- the slick, sloping putting surfaces are infamous.

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H is for History —  

Augusta National was created by Scottish golf course architect Dr. Alister Mackenzie and co-founder Bobby Jones and opened in 1933 on land that was once the site of Fruitlands Nursery. During World War II the land was briefly given over to turkey and cattle farming.

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I is for Internationals —  

South African Gary Player -- pictured here in 2014 with Jack Nicklaus (left) and the late Arnold Palmer -- was the first international champion in 1961. Since then the Masters has been won 21 times by overseas players. The US counts for 60 wins from 37 different players.

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J is for Jacket, as in green —  

The tropical-weight emerald blazer is worn by only Augusta National members and Masters champions. It was first introduced for members in 1937 and ordered from Brooks Uniform Company in New York. Sam Snead was the first winner to receive a jacket and honorary membership in 1949. The reigning Masters champion can take it home for a year, then it must be kept at the club.

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K is for Key holes —  

The saying goes the Masters doesn't begin until the back nine on Sunday. It starts with one of the hardest holes on the course in the 10th and then enters Amen Corner with the equally tough 11th and then the booby trap of the short 12th. But the long 15th (pictured) is key -- big moves can be made with eagles here. Anything less than a birdie and you will likely go backwards.

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L is for Lane, as in Magnolia Lane —  

The exclusive driveway to Augusta's historic clubhouse is framed by dozens of magnolia trees. Only members and Masters competitors are allowed to access this revered entrance which gives on to the Founder's Circle and then the whitewashed concrete clubhouse, built in 1854.

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M is for Mickelson —  

Popular left-hander Phil Mickelson is one of 17 players to have won multiple Masters titles. The three-time champion won the first of his five major titles at Augusta in 2004 after three straight third places. Even at 50, Mickelson remains a Masters threat.

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N is for Nicklaus, as in Jack —  

The most successful player at the Masters is Jack Nicklaus, whose six Green Jackets remains the record. The 80-year-old is now an honorary starter along with Gary Player, following the death of four-time champion Arnold Palmer in 2016.

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O is for Oak tree —  

The famous old oak tree on the course side of the clubhouse is an iconic landmark and the traditional meeting place for the game's movers and shakers and media types with the correct credential. A familiar refrain of Masters week is: "Meet you under the tree."

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P is for Par 3s, notably the 12th —  

Perhaps the most famous short hole in golf, the par-3 12th sits at the heart of Amen Corner. Like a wolf in sheep's clothing, it is just 155 yards long, but Rae's Creek looms large in front and a devilish wind always swirling around the trees makes club selection tricky.

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Q is for Quonset Hut —  

Modern media are housed in a recently built state-of-the-art facility at the far end of the practice range, but in days gone by the stories from Augusta were crafted in a corrugated metal Quonset Hut.

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R is for Roars —  

When the excitement rises on a Sunday afternoon and the patrons reach fever pitch, the roars reverberate around the towering pines which act like a giant organ reflecting the noise all over the course. A Phil Mickelson roar stands out, but a roar for Tiger Woods is like no other.

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S is for Spieth —  

Jordan Spieth was on a fast track to being crowned the new king of Augusta following his wire-to-wire victory in 2015 and dominance for three rounds in 2016. He was still clear with nine holes to play before famously self destructing with two balls in the water on 12. The American has struggled of late and is down to 33rd in the world, but in five Masters appearances he has won, finished second twice, come third and 11th.

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T is for Tradition —  

The Masters is forward looking but rooted in tradition, such as the pre-tournament Par-3 Contest, in which friends and family members caddie for the players and hit the occasional shot. Jack Nicklaus' grandson Gary made a hole in one last year. Other traditions include the Champions Dinner, in which the holder chooses the menu and hosts the evening on the Tuesday of Masters week

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U is for Under par —  

When Jordan Spieth won in 2015 he equaled Tiger Woods' 1997 record for the lowest winning score at 18 under par.

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V is for Views —  

Augusta's vistas are consistently spell-binding with the pines framing the holes and the lush grass, ice white of the bunkers and explosions of color from the flowers and patrons adding to the allure.

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W is for Woods —  

Who else? Tiger Woods changed golf when he won his first major by a record 12 shots in 1997. He went on to win three further Green Jackets, the last of which came in 2005 after a famous chip-in on the 16th. The 43-year-old is fit again after multiple back surgeries, and among the widely tipped contenders.

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X is for X-factor —  

Winning the Masters requires a game in mint condition and a bit of something special. Think Tiger Woods' chip-in on the 16th in 2005, or Phil Mickelson's shot threaded through trees on the 13th in 2010. Or what about Bubba Watson's banana ball from the woods on the 10th to clinch a play off in 2012 (pictured)?

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Y is for Youngest winner —  

Tiger Woods' 1997 win for the first of 14 majors so far made him the youngest Masters champion at the age of 21.

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Z is for Zenith —  

For many players, winning the Masters represents the zenith of their career. Phil Mickelson's jump for joy in 2004 at his 11th attempt kick started an era which yielded further victories in 2006 and 2010.

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’Good fun’

Off the course, the consensus is Woods has mellowed over the years and become more approachable after his injury woes and life struggles. Walking off the 18th following his impressive and at times fortunate 67 Saturday – three times he drove into trees but escaped with a shot at the green – he was all smiles and trading high and low fives with children and patrons lining the ropes.

“Since he’s come back to the sport he hangs out more, he wants to enjoy the life,” said Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington, a three-time major champion, talking to BBC Sport.

England’s Ian Poulter, Woods’ playing partner Saturday, said of the circus that comes with playing with him: “It’s never easy. It’s always loud, especially when he’s making plenty of birdies. But it was fun, he was good fun to play with.”

Molinari held off the charging Woods to clinch the Open at Carnoustie last year and has previous with the American at Augusta. Molinari first attended the Masters as a caddie for elder brother Edoardo, the US amateur champion, in 2006. They played alongside defending champion Woods in the first round.

Francesco Molinari is bidding to add the Masters to his Open title.

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’Hogan-like’

Now, after a stellar season last year, and further success this term, the Italian could be the one to deprive the old master. The last player to win the Open and then clinch the next Masters? Yep. Woods.

Molinari has always been a solid player, but his work with renowned performance coach Dave Alred, alongside swing tutor Denis Pugh, is paying dividends as he translates pressure and accountability in practice into an ice-cool demeanor on the course. He emerged from Saturday’s melee with a bogey-free 66 – making it 43 straight holes without a bogey – to set a relentless pace.

“This is Hogan-like,” said BBC commentator Ken Brown, referring to legendary US pro Ben Hogan, who won nine major titles.

READ: Dave Alred: The guru teaching golfers think like ‘assassins’

Then there’s Finau, the man who dislocated his ankle celebrating a shot in the par-3 contest on his debut last year before going on to finish tied 10th. The Salt Lake City native, the first player of Tongan-Samoan heritage on Tour, led the charge for most of Saturday. He was the first to push the lead to 10 under as he chases only his second top-flight victory and first major title.

“I’m driving the ball nicely and I can attack the golf course if I’m driving well,” said Finau, who was one of three players to shoot 64. “I feel good, I feel comfortable.

“More than anything I needed to keep my foot on the gas pedal.”

READ: Woods close as Koepka and DeChambeau lead the Masters

READ: Tiger Woods: I don’t need to win the Masters, but I really want to’

Tony Finau dislocated his ankle in the par-3 contest ahead of the 2018 Masters.

PHOTO: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Wild Sunday

The softer, more receptive course meant good scores were attainable and Webb Simpson and Patrick Cantlay also shot 64s – previously there had only ever been one round of 64 or better in a single Masters tournament. However, forecast strengthening winds and the threat of storms could make scoring more difficult Sunday.

In recent times, the Masters champion has tended to come from the final pairing, but the nature of this year’s event suggests this one might be less predictable.

Behind the leading trio lurks American Brooks Koepka, the reigning US PGA and two-time US Open champion who has won three of his last six majors.

Koepka began Saturday in a five-way tie for the lead, with Molinari among others, but he trod water for much of the round before an eagle at the 15th en route to a 69 took him to 10 under.

READ: Amen Corner: A former champion’s guide to the toughest stretch in golf

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Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, and the 43-year-old Poulter, who is still chasing a first major despite his long-time Ryder Cup heroics for Europe, sit on nine under.

In all, 10 players are within five shots of the lead, but the rest will be aware the record comeback over the final 18 holes at the Masters is the eight shots Jack Burke Jr. made up to win in 1956.

Nick Faldo also overhauled a six-shot deficit to beat Greg Norman by five in 1996.

Buckle up. Sunday could be wild.