Augusta National: Tiger Stalks(West)Wood as Mickelson Eagles High

England’s Lee Westwood kept the lead after a fascinating day of golf at the Augusta Masters. Most of the Patrons of the game were hard pressed to remember when was the last time a Saturday felt like the Sunday at Augusta’s. Phil Mickelson’s back to back eagles brought the crowd to their feet and him one shot behind Westwood going into the final day. The roars are back at the green and so is the much revered and much maligned Tiger Woods. The now sublime, now erratic Wood heads into the final round tied third with Choi and three strokes behind the leader. There was enough wow and aww moments with eagles, birdies, near misses to keep the crowd going on Saturday. But Lee and his devoted English fans cannot be blamed for thinking that they were at a different tournament at the same course. There was cheers for almost everyone except for Lee as he went about the course in a clinical fashion .While Lee has played enough to concentrate on his game rather than concern him self with what others are doing, it is not easy not to be swayed by the emotions surrounding the Major.

Westwood is World No. 4 and amongst the best the only one without a major. After Saturday’s play he said” I think I am ready”. He better be. Lurking behind him is Phil Mickelson , Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.

Phil is just one shot behind Westwood. He became only the third Golfer in Augusta history to hit back to back eagle. The crowd went into frenzy when he missed his third straight eagle by six inches. The World No. 3 Mickelson is sentimental favorite of the crowd as he faces the toughest time a family can with both his wife and mother battling breast cancer. His devoted family man image makes him a White Knight with Halo over his head in stark contrast to the Bad Boy image of the now fallen from grace , Mr. Golf Tiger woods.

Tiger waves to his fans who seems to have forgiven him

After a self imposed five month hiatus from the game, Tiger is back on familiar turf. Haunted by a Golf Club Swinging wife, who as of now is still weighing the most lucrative option, his dozen and counting clandestine affairs and girl friends , he checked into rehabilitation centre. Though it rehabilitated what is not clear, it at least kept the hyper active media and paparazzi who were rubbing their hands in glee at the first opportunity( Multiplied by 12+) provided by the Perfect Role Model, at bay. He received a warm welcome at the Masters and for a change the man was more human when acknowledging perhaps for the first time the role of his fans and colleagues in his success. He is not in the best of form. He has been spraying the ball all around and making one to many of near misses. But he has played well enough to be in contention still.

Fred Couples is behind only 4 players bur believes to win Major at his age would be a pipe dream but not ruling himself out yet. Win if he does at Age 50 , he will be putting on the Green Jacket 28 years after he did it for first time. While romantics in us would absolutely love to see the fight between Phil and Woods for more of non golfing reasons as a contest between the good and the bad, the saint and the devil. Golf itself could not have scripted it better. With World No. 1, 3, 4 all in fray the leader board has not looked so strong in almost a decade at Majors. Throw in Poulter , Barnes, Choi . The tournament has not been decided yet on one of the most demanding golf courses in the world.

Things change fast at Augusta Nationals as Mickelson proved. The Green Jacket will be worn by the truly deserving. If Woods is playing for pride and more, Phil is getting his inspiration from things that cannot be defined. In the midst spare a thought for Westwood. His time has come and if keeps his cool, nothing can deny him the title which is long overdue.

Over to another exciting Final day at the Augusta National Masters 2010 as the game begins.