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Maggert takes two-stroke lead

Augusta April 13. Jeff Maggert overcame a double bogey on No. 11 with five birdies over his final six holes for a 6-under 66 after three rounds at the Masters yesterday, giving him a two-stroke lead over fast-fading Mike Weir.

``This is a position you dream about,'' said Maggert, who has never held the 54-hole lead in a major championship.

Tiger Woods, fighting for the right to keep playing, made the cut on the number and then blitzed Augusta National for a bogey-free 66 that left him only four shots behind.

No one has ever won three straight Masters. No one has ever trailed by 11 shots after 36 holes and gone on to win at August a National.

None of this seemed plausible when Woods stood behind a small pine tree in the ninth fairway on his final hole of the second round. He managed to squeeze a shot under the shoulder-high branches and scratch out a par just to make the cut.

That was only the appetiser on a spectacular day of sunshine and golf, which proved to be far more appealing than a tepid protest against Augusta National's all-male membership that took place a half-mile down the road.

Maggert has won only once in the previous nine times he has led going into the final round, and there were plenty of stars lurking behind.

Weir, who had a six-stroke lead at one point, staggered home with a 39 on the back for a 3-over 75 and was at 213.

Vijay Singh, who won the Masters three years ago, and former PGA champion David Toms each had 70 and were another stroke back.

Woods had some familiar company at 1-under 215 — Phil Mickelson, who made crucial par putts on the final three holes, the last from 20 feet that suspended on the back lip of the cup before falling. That gave Lefty a 72 and another chance to win his first major.

AP

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