Peter Hanson leads the Masters for Sweden, Mickelson eyes up another green jacket

Sweden’s Peter Hanson emerged as the unlikely third-round leader of the Masters after a day of high drama on the slick Augusta greens.

The 34-year-old produced some ultra-solid golf to card a seven-under 65 and now heads the field at nine-under par, one stroke clear of Phil Mickelson, who drained everything to come back in six-under.

Mickelson birdied 10 and 12, then sunk a 25-foot putt for eagle at the 13. A wonderful flop shot from the back of the 15th green gave him another birdie but he wasn’t finished there, two more birdies followed at 17 and 18 for a 66.

South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen is a further shot back on seven under after knocking it round in 69; while Bubba Watson smashed his way to a 70, leaving him on six under.

Matt Kuchar also shot a 70 and is well-positioned on five under; while Hunter Mahan, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington all sit on four under.

Tiger Woods scrambled to a level-par 72, three over for the tournament. His swing looks like it needs serious help; blocking all his iron shots, hooking his 3-wood and even his stinger 2-iron looked rusty.

Rory McIlroy started the day one off the lead; however, he doubled two on the front nine and went out in 42. He appears to have crumbled a day early this year; shooting a 77, dashing his tournament hopes.

The Masters 2012 Leaderboard

Hanson -9

Mickelson -8

Oosthuizen -7

Watson -6

Kuchar -5

Harrington -4

Mahan -4

Stenson -4

Westwood -4

Matthew O’Brian