Immelman holds a one-shot lead as Tiger trails by seven
By The Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Georgia - After two days of warm, sunny weather, the Masters turned wet yesterday and the third round was briefly halted because of heavy rain that left giant puddles on several greens.
Umbrellas popped up all over the course as play began in a light drizzle. With the leaders still waiting to tee off, the horns sounded and play was halted at 5 P.M. GMT when a line of heavy storms moved over the course.
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Play resumed after a 45-minute delay, the puddles on the 12th and 18th greens having been pushed aside with squeegees. Trevor Immelman was set to play in the final group and held a one-stroke lead, while Tiger Woods hoped to make up a seven-shot deficit that jeopardized his Grand Slam hopes.
The first two rounds were played in nearly perfect conditions. That was a striking contrast to a year ago, when frigid temperatures and bitter wind allowed Zach Johnson to capture the green jacket at 1 over, tied for the highest winning score in Masters history.
After the rains move out, cooler temperatures are expected for today's final round.
Immelman shot his second straight 68 on Friday for an 8-under 136 total.
Woods, who had proclaimed the Grand Slam easily within reason, will need the second-greatest 36-hole rally in Masters history to keep his quest going beyond the opening major. He was at 1-under 143.
Even Augusta patrons, who usually tag along with Woods by the thousands, started to drift away by the time he got to the 17th hole Friday. The bleachers were scattered with open seats as he sank a birdie putt that kept his fading hopes alive.
Woods, of course, was undeterred by his predicament.
"I'm in good shape," said Woods, who will need a comeback eclipsed only by Jackie Burke's rally from an eight-shot deficit in 1956, and that was aided by Ken Venturi's collapse on the weekend. "Stay patient. This golf course, you can make up shots here quickly. I've just got to hang in there."
Phil Mickelson doesn't have nearly so large a gap to close.
Trying to win his third green jacket in five years, Lefty shot a 68 that left him just three strokes behind Immelman going into yesterday.
"I'm always looking to see what the leaders are doing," Mickelson said. "You want to stay close. You don't want to make any big mistakes and get way out."
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