AUGUSTA, Georgia – Comparisons with Tigers Woods will be inevitable if Jordan Spieth shows the mettle to convert his four-shot third-round lead into Masters triumph.
Spieth needs to hold off major champions Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson on a nerve-wracking final day to claim the green jacket.
But the 21-year-old Australian Open champion has already shown composure way beyond his years as he bids to become only the fifth wire-to-wire winner in Masters history, joining Craig Wood in 1941, Arnold Palmer in 1960, Jack Nicklaus in 1972 and Raymond Floyd in 1976. He shot a two-under-par 70 to lead from fast-finishing Rose (67) with three-time champion Mickelson (67) a shot further back, one ahead of Charlie Hoffman (71).
His score of 16-under-par 200 broke the 54-hold tournament record shared by Woods (1997) and Floyd (1976), having set a 36-hole record a day earlier.
If he shoots 69 or better to win today he will break the Masters record Woods set in 1997 when winning his first Masters at the same age.
He will also rise from No.4 to No.2 in the world, behind only Rory McIlroy.
His seven birdies on Saturday took his tally to 22, one more than Woods’ 54-hole record.
Spieth showed his gumption when he salvaged par with clutch flop shot and 10-foot putt on the 18th on Saturday after messing up his approach shot, having just taken double bogey on the 17th.
“It was really big. It was huge. It was one of the bigger putts I’ve ever hit,” Spieth said.
The Texan will draw on his experience from last year, when he was tied for the lead going into the final and led by two through seven holes but finished tied second, three behind Bubba Watson.
“Last year definitely left a bad taste in my mouth,” Spieth said. “I’ve been looking to get back, looking at trying to get some revenge on the year but I’ve got a long way to go still.”
He expected Rose and Mickelson to apply pressure.
“They are going to bring their game and I’ve got to have a relatively stress-free round going, I mean give myself some tap-in pars and not have to make so many putts,” Spieth said.
“I had to make a lot of putts (yesterday). I can’t rely on the putter that much to save me with two major champions right behind.”
