Tiger Woods took charge of the 69th US Masters yesterday, a record-equalling run of seven birdies helping him to a three-shot lead when the weather-delayed third round was finally completed.

　　The three-time champion, bidding to end a run of 10 majors without victory, fired a seven-under-par 65 to finish on 11-under 205 in bright sunshine at Augusta National in Georgia.

　　Although he dropped two shots in his last five holes in calm early morning conditions, the 29-year-old American overhauled overnight leader Chris DiMarco, who battled to a 74 and outright second place at eight under.

　　Ryder Cup player DiMarco, four strokes clear of Woods on 13 under at the start of the day, fell away on the back nine after running up a double-bogey at the par-four 10th.

　　Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, after a 71, was a further stroke back in third with defending champion Phil Mickelson, who carded a 69, tied for fourth at five under with South African Trevor Immelman (65).

　　Woods, chasing his first major victory since the 2002 US Open, began the day in rampant form and drew level with DiMarco after setting up birdies on 10 and 11 with approach shots to just seven feet.

　　DiMarco, who has produced three top-12 finishes at Augusta since making his debut there in 2001, meanwhile slipped back with his early stumble on 10.

　　It was DiMarco's first blemish since he bogeyed his first hole of the tournament.

　　He then watched from the tee at the par-three 12th as Woods took the lead for the first time, calmly holing out from five feet for his eighth birdie of the round.

　　Although Woods failed to reach the green in two at the par-five 13th, he chipped six feet past the pin before holing the return putt to equal Steve Pate's Masters record of seven consecutive birdies in the third round of the 1999 tournament.

　　The eight-time major winner pumped his fist in celebration before walking to the 14th tee with a two-stroke lead.

　　That was the end of Woods' golden run, however.

　　He three-putted for bogey on 14 and also dropped at the par-five 15th, where his second shot ended up in the pond guarding the front of the green.

　　However, he parred the last three holes to stay on track for the ninth major victory of his career.

　　While Woods dominated the top of the leaderboard, 2004 champion Mickelson also made an early move.

　　Ten strokes off the overnight lead at three under par, the left-handed American birdied the 12th, his first hole of the day, the 13th and the 15th before slipping back with a bogey at the last.

　　Back on track after three days of weather disruptions, the first of the year's four major championships was poised for a thrilling Sunday finish.

　　(Reuters)