The world No.1, who had a 5-stroke lead at the start of this third round, had a rocky day.

He first brought it to 6, strong with four birdies in the front nine.

But it was halved due to three bogeys between N.12 and N.15, while Cameron Smith returned the best card of the day (68).

The American totals -9, the Australian -6 and the South Korean Sung-jae Im -4.

The games are therefore not made for the gain of this 86th Masters, which Tiger Woods will therefore not win, barring a miracle.

The 46-year-old American, winner of 15 Majors, scored 78 (+6).

Its worst in a lap, in 24 participations in this event, the fatigue becoming stronger and stronger, in windy conditions which did not help.

Tiger Woods on the Augusta Masters green on April 9, 2022 Gregory Shamus GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"It was tough. Today was a challenge because the conditions were difficult. They were already difficult yesterday at the start, but at least we had a bit of a calm at the end. Today, the wind blew all day," he said.

"No feeling"

Totaling +7 after 54 holes, he unscrewed in 41st place in a small group which also included the Spaniard Jon Rahm (world No.2).

Like the day before, Woods conceded an entry bogey, but immediately recovered with a birdie on the N.2, by making a superb exit from the bunker which almost made an eagle.

He then committed his first double-bogey of the tournament at N.5, betrayed by a deficient putt.

"I must have hit about a thousand today," Woods railed.

"I just didn't have a feel. I couldn't get comfortable with the ball. The posture, the touch, my right hand, my release, I just couldn't get there. "

Tiger Woods at the Augusta Masters on April 9, 2022 Gregory Shamus GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Tiger bogey again at N.9 then at N.11, the first segment of the Amen Corner, where the Masters are often won and lost.

But he roared with pride, with two consecutive birdies at N.12 and N.13, which complete the difficult triptych.

A temporary thinning, as Woods then chained two more bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes, before collapsing on the last with another double-bogey.

If his golf and his physique were in pain, he nevertheless knew how to hang on.

Which is quite a victory in itself and it will only be more beautiful on Sunday afternoon, if he holds the distance until the end.

"Oh shit"

Because he had narrowly avoided the amputation of his right leg, after his exit from the road on February 23, 2021 near Los Angeles, for the multiple open fractures which finally required him to insert a metal rod in the tibia, and screws to strengthen the bones of the foot and ankle.

Woods had been hospitalized for weeks and unable to walk for months.

But, his body already bruised by countless injuries, he once again managed to get up, to achieve a return that no one expected so quickly in Augusta, after 17 months without playing (his last tournament was the 2020 edition). of the Masters).

To get back into the fight every morning, Tiger delivers another every night since Thursday, submitting to a daily treatment of ice baths and physiotherapy, to reduce the swelling in his leg.

Scottie Scheffler at the 18th hole at the Augusta Masters on April 9, 2022 JAMIE SQUIRE GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"Every day is a challenge. You must never give up, you must always chase after your dreams," he said.

A precept to which Scheffler clung, not to give in too much under pressure, despite a big scare at the start of N.18, when his drive sent the ball into an undergrowth.

"I saw the guy in charge of spotting the balls panicking. I said to myself + Oh shit +", confided the American.

When found, she proved unplayable where she was stuck.

Penalized suddenly, the leader nevertheless limited the breakage by making bogey.

© 2022 AFP