Rookie Jordan Spieth piled the pressure on Bubba Watson yesterday to join him at the top of the Masters leaderboard and set up a thrilling final day with history in his sights.
The Texan sensation, who is just 20-years-old, will become the youngest Masters winner if he can handle the pressure, see off Watson, who at times looked to be falling apart yesterday, and stay ahead of the chasing pack.
Speith, who has impressed the world of golf with his maturity since bursting onto the scene, was on top form to record a round of 70 to take him to five under alongside Watson and just ahead of fellow American Matt Kuchar and Sweden’s Jonas Blizt, who are four-under.
Although Americans look favourite to take the Augusta title, Europe’s long wait for a Masters champion was given a boost with Miguel Angel Jimenez spearheading a number of contenders.
Jimenez, who will make his Seniors Tour debut next week, only made the halfway cut with a shot to spare, but surged through the field with a 66 containing seven birdies and just one bogey.
Jimenez is already the oldest winner in European Tour history, extending his own record by successfully defending his Hong Kong Open title in December, just weeks before turning 50 on January 5.
And the veteran Spaniard would become the oldest winner in major history if he could claim a green jacket today.
“That would mean a lot,” said Jimenez, who held the halfway lead in the Open at Muirfield last year. “I have plenty of victories in my career and having a major in my career would be amazing. That would be the flower on top.
“If you are 50, it doesn’t mean that you cannot play well. I’m still moving. I’m still flexible. I hit the ball longer than ever. I’m competitive you know.
“I don’t want to commit to play the Champions Tour or any more senior events, apart from the Senior British Open, because I want to put myself in place too for the Ryder Cup. I would love to play the Ryder Cup.
“The main thing is that I’m doing what I like to do in my life and I’m enjoying it completely.
“It’s my 26th year on Tour and probably some people say, ‘that’s so many years, that’s got to be hard on the body’.
“No, I love what I’m doing and I hope I’m still in the same condition for another 25. I’m not going to get bored of myself!
“I feel great. I feel fantastic. I like the feeling of the knot in my stomach. I feel that thing since Monday when I got here, it doesn’t disappear.
“I love that kind of pressure. That’s why I’m still competing.”
Birdies at the third and fifth took Jimenez to the turn in 34 and the former Ryder Cup player birdied the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th, with a bogey on the 12th his only blemish.
Lee Westwood had failed to birdie any of the par fives in the first two rounds, but picked up shots at the second, eighth, 13th and 15th to boost his hopes of a first major title at the 64th attempt.
“Augusta is one of those places where I feel I can turn my game around,” said Westwood, who took a two-shot lead into the final round of the Open at Muirfield last year but finished third.
“I know how to get round even if I’m not on my game. The course changes as the week goes on and Sunday afternoon is even more fun. Anyone within four or five of the lead will have a chance tomorrow.”
