Scheffler grabs Masters lead while Woods fires nightmare 82

AUGUSTA — Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler battled through a back-nine shootout to seize a one-stroke lead over Collin Morikawa after Saturday’s third round of the Masters while Tiger Woods endured a nightmare collapse.

Scheffler’s remarkable shotmaking under pressure, including a clutch eight-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to shoot a one-under par 71 and stand on seven-under 209, capped a wild round at Augusta National.

Scheffler, the 2022 Masters winner, lost the lead with a double-bogey at 10, recaptured it with an eagle at 13 and birdied two of the last four holes, success prompting fist-pumps from the typically mellow Texan.

“The putts were important to me. I try to feed off the positive energy of seeing the ball go in,” Scheffler said. “Did a good job of staying patient, had the eagle at 13 and finished well.”

Scheffler made four birdies, three bogeys, an eagle and a double-bogey to hold off US compatriot Morikawa, a two-time major winner who fired a 69 to stand on 210.

American Max Homa was third on 211 after a 73 with Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, making his first major appearance, fourth on 212.

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion, holed out from 77 yards at the 18th for birdie to shoot 75 and stand fifth on 213, four shots back.

Woods, a 15-time major winner, fired his worst-ever Masters round, a 10-over 82, to stand on 11-over 227 and stumble out of contention for a record-tying sixth green jacket and record top prize of $3.6 million.