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Sweden's Hanson leads after third round of Masters
Peter Hanson is looking to deliver Sweden its first green jacket.
Hanson fashioned a third-round 65 to take the Masters Tournament lead at 9-under through three rounds, one ahead of a fist-pumping Phil Mickelson and two ahead of South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen.
Hanson bogeyed the first hole and then ran off eight birdies throughout his round. He rolled in a long birdie putt at No. 17 to take the outright lead. Then, he striped his approach to tap-in range for birdie at 18.
Mickelson, seeking his fourth green jacket, shot 30 on the second nine for 66. He rolled in a 20-foot eagle putt at 13, hit a gutsy flop shot from behind the 15th green to set up a birdie and later rolled in a 20-foot birdie at No. 18.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, shot 69 with a bogey at 18. He birdied Nos. 6-8 and later shot 35 on the back nine.
Left-hander Bubba Watson birdied three of the final six holes for 70 and fourth place at 6-under.
Matt Kuchar shot 70 and is in fifth at 5-under.
Hunter Mahan, who posted 68, heads up a group of four golfers at 4-under, including Padraig Harrington (68), Henrik Stenson (70) and Lee Westwood (72).
Mickelson parred his first nine holes, but he birdied Nos. 10 and 12 to move to 4-under. He added the eagle at 13, the birdie at 15 and birdied 18 to cap his day.
Jason Dufner and Fred Couples began the day tied for the lead at 5-under. Couples shot 39 on the front before finishing with 75 to move to 2-under, seven off the lead. Dufner also posted 75.
Rory McIlroy posted two double bogeys on the front nine and finished with 77. He’s at 1-over and tied for 27th.
Tiger Woods shot 72 and finished the third round at 3-over.