Jordan Spieth, bidding to become the youngest ever Masters winner at 20, and 2012 champion Bubba Watson will take a share of the lead into the final round at Augusta National.
After a gruelling day of jousting atop a packed leaderboard under a hot sun that scorched the already devlish greens, the two Americans emerged tied at five-under par 211 yesterday.
Spieth had a two-under 70, while 35-year-old Watson, who had led by three overnight, settled for a 74.
In second place, a stroke behind, were American Matt Kuchar, who had a 68, and unheralded Swedish newcomer Jonas Blixt with a 71.
But with 13 players under par and within four strokes of the lead, the stage was set for yet another Sunday afternoon of action-packed drama under the Georgia pines.
Spieth, who last year at age 19 became the youngest winner of a PGA Tour event since 1931, said that it had been the toughest of tests on an unforgiving layout.
"We could tell early on that the greens were ridiculous. They were so fast that balls would pass the hole and come back a couple of feet," he said.
"But that is just the Masters. You can't let your focus go astray for a moment.
"(The course) is a great fit for my game and so far so good."
If he wins, Spieth would take the youngest Masters winner tag from Tiger Woods, who was 21 when he won his first major at Augusta National in 1997.
He would also be the first rookie to win the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 and just the third ever to do so.
Waston, who struggled with his putter all day said he was looking forward to playing with Spieth in Sunday's final pairing.
"That's my worst day, but I am still tied for the lead, so it's not too bad," said Watson.
"Being in the last group gives you confidence for heing in that position. It will be interesting -- me trying to win, him trying to win. Hopefully one of us will win."
Watson opened with a bogey, but on the back of an eagle at the second, he had a five-stroke lead while teeing off at the third.
But four holes later he had been reeled in by Blitz, Spieth and Danish veteran Thomas Bjorn, to be joined shortly after by Kuchar on five under.
