As Tiger fades away, Mickelson, Westwood battle for Masters lead with Couples, Choi chasing

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Westwood, Mickelson lead at Masters, Woods fading

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods is fading in the final round of the Masters, taking bogey on three of the first five holes to drop six strokes behind co-leaders Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood.

Westwood has taken a couple of bogeys as well, falling into a tie with Mickelson at 11 under. Mickelson might have been in the undisputed lead if not for an unfortunate brush with nature at No. 2 — a pollen pod blew onto the green just before a 10-foot birdie putt, right in the line of the cup. The ball actually hopped when it struck the pod, knocking it off line.

Fred Couples and K.J. Choi are at 9 under, two strokes behind the leaders. At 50, Couples is trying to become the oldest major champion in golf history.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Fred Couples is making the biggest move among the Masters leaders, while others have already run into trouble.

Phil Mickelson had a birdie attempt knocked off line by a pollen pod that blew onto the green just before he putted at No. 2. Tiger Woods yanked his first tee shot into the adjacent ninth fairway and needed two swings to get out of a bunker at the second. Lee Westwood also put his first shot in the trees and took a bogey.

Westwood bounced back with a two-putt birdie at the second, reclaiming his one-stroke lead over Mickelson. Couples birdied two of the first three holes to get to 9 under, three strokes behind in a tie with K.J. Choi. Woods is five shots off the pace.