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Hoffman edges ahead at Augusta
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Hoffman edges ahead at Augusta

Charley Hoffman opened up a two-shot lead as the third round of the Masters Tournament began to heat up at Augusta National.

Charley Hoffman

The American had opened with a brilliant 65 but was reined in by the field on Friday before two birdies in his first four holes moved him to six under and back ahead of the pack.

Sergio Garcia, Thomas Pieters and Rickie Fowler remained at four under after four holes, with William McGirt also at that mark having played five.

Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth were then four shots off the lead.

Fowler made the first move as he took advantage of the par five second, with Pieters producing a wonderful pitch to also make a gain and pick up the shot he had dropped on the first.

A poor chip on the third from Fowler dropped him back into the pack and after a smart par save on the opener, Hoffman made a nice bunker save to birdie the second and hit the front.

He then put his tee-shot on the par three fourth to nine feet and he was two ahead, with Garcia making four pars after missing a putt from similar range.

McGirt had made birdies on the second and fifth to get to four under.

Rahm made birdies on the second and third to thrust himself into contention but bogeyed the fourth in his first six holes, while Spieth made birdies on the sixth and eighth as he approached the turn.

Søren Kjeldsen was in the group at one under alongside Paul Casey, Fred Couples, Ryan Moore and Adam Scott.

World Number Two Rory McIlroy was one over par.

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