Masters 2018: Final Day at Augusta set up for a classic as stars stun on Saturday

Patrick Reed leads by three as Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and Tommy Fleetwood shine on Saturday
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As stormy conditions threatened to disrupt play on Saturday at the Masters, the game’s big names took centre stage at Augusta National to set up what looks to be a sensational Sunday.

With Patrick Reed holding the overnight lead at nine under, the early play passed with little incident, as Tiger Woods, playing alongside Ian Poulter, signed for a level-par 72 to remain four over for the week.

However, as the final groups took to the course, and the weather largely stayed away, competition flared as Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler and England’s Tommy Fleetwood looked to haul in Reed.

After a strong start, nearly carding an ace on six, a wonderful eagle chip on eight for grand slam chasing McIlroy saw him take a share of the lead.

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Ryder Cup rival Reed, however, hit back with a hat-trick of birdies from the eighth as the pair threatened to pull away from the field and set up a repeat of their singles showdown at Hazeltine.

As McIlroy battled through the rain, flirting with the azaleas on thirteen before saving par, Reed made the most of the par threes, sinking a 14-foot eagle on thirteen before chipping in on the fifteenth to move five clear of the Northern Irishman.

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A bogey on sixteen followed to keep the American in check, while McIlroy saved par on seventeen before sinking a seventeen-footer on the last to reduce the gap to three and book his place in Sunday’s final group, as Reed’s birdie chance at the last slid past the hole.

Day Three is moving day at Augusta, and an impressive trio certainly stood out.

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Fowler shot a somewhat under-the-radar seven under and will begin on Sunday two shots back from McIlroy.

The American will be joined in the second group by Spain’s Jon Rahm, after the 23-year-old recovered from his opening round of 75 in fine fashion, with the joint-lowest round of the day on Saturday, walking off at eighteen after two birdies in the last three holes left him at eight under overnight.

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Meanwhile Fleetwood, whose stock has risen momentously over the past 18-months, went about his business in fine fashion as five straight birdies on the back nine threw his name into contention for the final day, though a dropped shot on the last will have left a sour taste.

But it will be Reed and McIlroy who hold the gaze on Sunday, while Mark Leishman and Jordan Spieth were left behind as others dazzled.

Many will have wanted to see Tiger out late on the final day at Augusta, however, with or without the returning 42-year-old, the final round is set to be a stunner.

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