Augusta, Apr 12: South African Els, who had led by two with five holes to play, shot a five-under 67 to finish second at eight-under 280. South Korea's KJ Choi was a further two strokes back in third after a 69. Els, who started out three behind overnight leaders Mickelson and Chris DiMarco, put himself on track for a fourth career major with eagles at the eighth and 13th holes. He forged two clear when he rifled his approach from 206 yards at the 510-yard 13th to just 10 feet, calmly rolling in the putt to move to four under for the day and seven for the tournament. Moments later, Mickelson had a chance to draw level with Els with an eagle of his own at the same hole but his putt from 20 feet slid past the cup. However, the tap-in for birdie lifted the American into outright second. He closed to within a stroke of the lead at seven under after he almost holed out for eagle at the par-four 14th.

Bureau Report