Sunday 10 April 2016 01:13, UK
Bernard Langer carded a superb round of 70 to move into contention for a third Masters title - at the age of 58.
The German's two-under-par round defied the blustery conditions that had disrupted many during Saturday play to use all his years of experience to plot his way round the Augusta course.
A Green Jacket winner in 1985 and 1993, Langer is now a prolific champion on the senior's tour but in a display that showed echoes of Tom Watson's memorable 2009 challenge at Turnberry he moved into contention for a third major title more than 25 years after his last.
Langer, a year younger than Watson was for his 2009 charge, was more than a match for playing partner and world No 1 Jason Day and his run of birdies at 13,14 and 15 was as good as anything seen at this year's Masters - the German dropped a shot on the 18th but will be among the final groups on Sunday.
"I am playing well, I am playing nicely - I had a couple of three putts today that hurt me but otherwise a lot of great golf," Langer told Sky Sports.
Playing partner Day had admitted on Friday he was mystified as to how Langer could produce the goods on a course as long and demanding as Augusta despite his age and the German was quick to respond, adding: "He got to see first hand today.
"We had a lot of fun on 14, he had an amazing birdie and I chipped in right on top of him so that was a nice moment."
Asked about the importance of experience, Langer, playing in his 33rd Masters, knows it is crucial to any hopes of contending.
"It certainly helps there is no doubt about it. It took me two or three attempts to work out what to do and what not to do."
Langer faces the prospect of a duel with leader Jordan Spieth who was eight years away from being born when the German won the last of his Green Jackets, a prospect the 58-year-old would relish.
"It would be great but I've never had a chance to play with him - I've talking to him a couple of times and he strikes me as a very nice young man and we all know he is a great golfer."
The honour of joining Spieth in the final group will go to Augusta debutant Smylie Kaufman, the 24-year-old carded a 69 for the only round of the last two days in the 60s.
Kaufman is making only his second major appearance having missed the cut at the 2014 US Open but after moving to two-under par and within one of the lead he was pleased with his day's work.
"It was a great day - i found myself putting for a lot of birdies," he told Sky Sports.
"I knew it was going to be extremenly difficult but I felt confident going into the day, the last two days i felt like I had a good number in me.
"I've hung around par and battled and today was a little easier as I found a lot of greens and holed the putts that I needed to hole."
