Tiger tees off as dramatic Masters final round begins

Tiger Woods teed off in Sunday's final round of the Masters chasing his 15th major title, trying to capture his fifth green jacket to end an 11-year major drought.

The 43-year-old American superstar, back on form after 2017 spinal fusion surgery following years of nagging back pain, played alongside compatriot Tony Finau and Italy's Francesco Molinari in the last group at Augusta National Golf Club.

Reigning British Open champion Molinari seized the 54-hole lead on 13-under par 203 with Woods and Finau two strokes behind.

Brooks Koepka, last year's US Open and PGA Championship winner, began three adrift with fellow American Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open, and England's Ian Poulter four off the pace.

"It's golf, so the favorite is probably the golf course out there waiting for us," Molinari said.

"We're all very close. It's nice to be a little bit ahead, but you might just need one hole to change. You never know how it's going to go, especially around a course like here."
"At 23, I had a lot more years in front of me," Woods said. "At 43 I don't. It's just reality."
- Molinari, Finau contend -
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"Hit the shots. Hit the middle of the clubface as often as I can and make smart decisions, and we'll just take it from there."
"I'm driving the ball nicely," Finau said. "And on this golf course, I can attack the golf course if I'm hitting my driver well."