Masters: Scottie Scheffler leads at Augusta, Cameron Smith & Shane Lowry chasing

The world number one is in a good position to win his first major at the Masters, despite a bumpy back nine in the third round giving hope to his rivals.

The 25-year-old American shot a one-under 71 - carding four bogeys in the final seven holes - to take a three-stroke lead into Sunday's final round.

Smith is on six under.

Smith moved back into contention with a 68, the low round of the day.

The final pair of players at a major since the 2015 PGA Championship are the world number six, Smith, and the number nine, Scheffler.

The champion has come from the final group in 26 of the past 31 Masters.

Im is two shots back at four under.

South Africa's Schwartzel, who won the Green Jacket in 2011, and Ireland's Lowry are two under.

Tiger Woods dropped down the leader board after recording the worst Masters round of his career with a six-over 78.

Danny Willett, who earned a shock win in 2016 in England, is the best player from the United Kingdom on level par.

He hit 15 pars in a 73 but has struggled for form this year and knows his way around Augusta.

Northern Ireland'sRory McIlroy shot 71, but his 70 was only bettered by Smith.

Scheffler maintains lead after 'great escape' on 18

After reaching top spot in the world rankings last month for the first time, Scheffler is aiming to crown his place as the dominant player in the men's game with a maiden win at one of the four majors.

The US star has risen quickly. Three victories in his past five starts - the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Arnold Palmer Invitation and Phoenix Open - saw him overtake Spain's Jon Rahm.

Going into Saturday's third round, Scheffler held a commanding five-shot lead. Four of the five previous players with the same lead won.

In his third Masters, the 21-year-old from Texas extended his lead to six shots with four bogeys and four birdies.

One of the key attributes of his recent success is his calm demeanor.

He possesses a strong all-round technical game and combining the two aspects on Saturday seemed to suggest a procession towards victory.

Those wanting to see an exciting contest on Sunday had their hopes raised when the back nine was filled with Scheffler.

The lead was reduced to three shots after bogeys on 12 and 14 and a wild drive on the 18th.

When he found his ball at the side of a bush, he had to take a one-shot penalty drop, but he saved the situation with a stunning iron to the back of the green.

I played some nice golf today. I made a few errors I haven't made in the last few days but to still get around in under par in the conditions today is a pretty nice round.

I was fortunate that it was on the side of the bush where I could get out of there.

I was lucky to play a great shot on to the green and play a nice up and down.

Smith puts himself back into contention

Smith is aiming for a rare double after winning the Players Championship.

Although a bogey on the par-three 16th checked his progress, a round containing six birdies was enough to ensure he will go out in the final group.

It was tough again. The greens are starting to firm up. It was really hot out there. Smith said that the round was better than the first one.

Schwartzel, who missed the cut in each of his past six starts on the PGA Tour, revealed on Friday that he had watched footage of his previous Augusta victory to act as inspiration this week.

Schwartzel was largely unable to match the heights of his rival but did create the day's most eye-catching moment when he holed out from 136 yards for an eagle on the 10th.

Woods laments 'awful' putting as he drops down leaderboard

The focus of attention at Augusta was on the amazing comeback of Woods.

The reality of playing 72 holes on Augusta's hilly terrain began to bite as he walked off with a 78.

Many people were surprised by the fact that Woods made the weekend cut in his first competitive appearance since the car crash.

The former world number one feared his right leg would have to be removed after he crashed in Los Angeles, but he was able to resume his golf career.

On Thursday and Friday, Woods shot 71 and 74, but 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611

Poor putting was a problem for Woods. His round was ruined by a four-putt on the fifth and three-putts on the 17th and 18th.

I am not where I wanted to be. I need to shoot a low one tomorrow, I would really like to shoot something in the 60s and come out here on a positive note.

Today was not a very good day. I putted awful, but I didn't hit it that bad.

Four three-putts and a four-putt was just awful. I don't think I have had many days like that.

McIlroy improves but remains out of contention

The former world number one carded his lowest score of the week at Augusta and is aiming for a seventh top 10 finish.

He was one over for the tournament after two rounds of 73 on Thursday and Friday.

Even though his eight-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam goes on, four-time major winner McIlroy has taken a lot of positives from the week.

"I played well, it's just hard to go very low out there."

It has been a tough couple of days and I have just hung in there as best I can.

Lee Westwood is three over after a 73, while Matt Fitzpatrick is four over after a 76.

Robert MacIntyre is six over for the tournament after a 76.

The worst Masters score by an Englishman since the opening round of his debut is by Tyrrell Hatton, who slid down to nine over with a 79.