The year’s first major championship is picking up where it left off in 2011, with a multitude of storylines and a crowded leaderboard.
You oughta know:
• That leader Peter Hanson’s best finish in a major was a tie for seventh last year at the U.S. Open and that he’s never led after any round on the PGA Tour.
• That Phil Mickelson, in search of his fourth green jacket, will be paired with Hanson on Sunday and that the winner has come from the last group in 19 of the last 21 Masters.
• That Tiger Woods, who struggled to an even-par 72, will begin the day 12 strokes back. The largest comeback in Masters history was eight strokes by Jackie Burke in 1956.
• That Mickelson scorched Hanson in Sunday singles at the 2010 Ryder Cup, 3 and 2. “That was tough,” the Swede recalled.
• That with a victory on Sunday, Mickelson can move to second on the all-time Masters champions list with four, tying Woods and Arnold Palmer. Jack Nicklaus holds the record with six.
• That for the second consecutive day, Woods failed to birdie or eagle a par 5. It’s just the fourth time in his career at Augusta National that he’s failed to do so.
• That Mickelson is the first player since 1999 to birdie No. 18 all three days. Matt Kuchar also accomplished the same feat this week.