Francesco Molinari fired a flawless six-under 66 on Saturday, seizing a two-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Tony Finau in a thrilling Masters third round at Augusta National.
Italy’s Molinari, the reigning British Open champion, stayed patient through five opening pars as birdies broke out everywhere on rain-softened Augusta. After birdies on the sixth and eighth, he erupted with four straight birdies starting at the par-three 12th — where his tee shot left him inches from the pin.
Methodical
He methodically rolled in putts of six, eight and nine feet to birdie the next three — and maintained his two-shot edge by getting up and down for par from a bunker at 18.
Molinari, one of five Major winners to share the overnight lead, had a 13-under total of 203.
“My plan is to go out and do the same, but I think there’s going to be a few guys trying to mess up my plan,” he said.
Woods carded a five-under 67 for an 11-under 205. He was joined by Finau, who fired a 64 — one shot off the tournament record and matched by two other eight-unders from Webb Simpson and Patrick Cantlay.
Finau, aiming to become the fifth straight player to make the Masters his first Major title, opened with three straight birdies. Another birdie on the sixth was followed by an eagle on eighth, where his second shot left him a tap-in.
“I hit a really good shot, but I didn’t think it was going to be, you know, a foot from the hole,” Finau said.
Koepka in the hunt
Also lurking was Brooks Koepka, who won a second straight US Open title last year then held off Woods to win the PGA Championship. Koepka was alone in fourth on 206 after a three-under 69.
Former US Open champion Webb Simpson had an eagle and seven birdies in his 64 for 207, level with England’s Ian Poulter, who signed for a 68.
Top scores: 203: Francesco Molinari (Ita) 70, 67, 66; 205: Tony Finau (USA) 71, 70, 64, Tiger Woods (USA) 70, 68, 67; 206: Brooks Koepka (USA) 66, 71, 69; 207: Webb Simpson (USA) 72, 71, 64, Ian Poulter (Eng) 68, 71, 68; 208: Matt Kuchar (USA) 71, 69, 68, Justin Harding (RSA) 69, 69, 70, Xander Schauffele (USA) 73, 65, 70, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71, 66, 71, Dustin Johnson (USA) 68, 70, 70.
