Tiger Woods leapt into contention at Augusta on Saturday, firing 12 birdies in 26 holes to move into second place. The 29-year-old American now has 27 holes to close Chris DiMarco's four-shot lead and win his first major for almost three years.
"I've got to grind it out," said Woods. "It's going to be a long day."
Tiger's charge left the other three members of golf's "Fab Four" - Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson - struggling to keep up.
Pre-tournament hype had been dominated by talk of a showdown between the game's top four players. But with over a round of golf still to play, only Woods is in a position to challenge for the Green Jacket.
Singh is nine behind on four under par, Mickelson 10 back, and Els is tied for 43rd on six over, 19 shots behind.
Woods began the day in a share of 33rd place on two over par.
 |  Tiger is Tiger - when he gets on those kind of runs, you never know what's going to happen |
But a brilliant six-under 66, the best round so far at storm-plagued Augusta National, brought him back into the title picture at the halfway stage. Then, after a short break between rounds, the three-times Masters champion emerged as DiMarco's chief rival with a sparkling front nine in his third round.
He had just birdied his third straight hole when the light failed, leaving the world number two on nine under par for the tournament, five under for his round.
Woods, who has already won twice on the US Tour this season, is now in sight of his first major since the 2002 US Open.
"Whether you're playing well or not, it doesn't matter. You have to regroup," Woods said. "Anything can happen here.
"We've got a long way to go," Woods said. "It's a long, patient day. You just have to continue being patient and plod your way along."
Thomas Bjorn, one shot behind Woods in third place, was among those forced to sit up and take notice of the resurgent American. "When he plays like that you just have to enjoy watching," Bjorn said.
| WHERE THE 'BIG FOUR' LIE -9: Tiger Woods
After nine holes of round three -4: Vijay Singh
After 10 -3: Phil Mickelson
After 11 +6: Ernie Els
After 10 |
"That was an impressive front nine. When you are six shots off the lead and go out and play the way he did, you have to be impressed. "Tiger is Tiger. When he gets on those kind of runs, you never know what's going to happen.
"I think it's good for the game that he plays like that. I know what he is capable of."
A modest Woods said: "The golf course wasn't playing as difficult as it normally does.
"A lot of the pins were at the bottom of the bowls, the low points. With that said, you can be aggressive. Everybody is making birdies out there."
That includes DiMarco, who could become the first post-to-post Masters champion since Ray Floyd in 1976.
DiMarco said he would not be intimidated by being paired with Woods come Sunday afternoon.
"It doesn't really matter," DiMarco said. "He's going to shoot his numbers whether he's in front of me or not. So I just have to worry about my own game."
MMIX
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