Masters leader Reed one stroke ahead of charging McIlroy

AUGUSTA: Patrick Reed was clinging to a one-stroke lead over a charging Rory McIlroy at the Masters on Saturday as the third-round leaders headed into the back nine at Augusta National.

World number 24 Reed, seeking his first major title, was 10-under through eight after two birdies and a bogey.

McIlroy, who started the day five adrift, was 9-under through nine thanks to a spectacular pitch-in for eagle at the par-5 eighth along with three birdies.

American Rickie Fowler was 7-under through 11. The American, seeking a first major title, kick-started his round with an eagle at the par-5 second and added birdies at the fourth, fifth and eighth as he played the front nine in 5-under.

With expected heavy rain and wind failing to materialize early, England's Tommy Fleetwood caught fire to produce five straight birdies on the back nine, reaching 7-under through 16.

Spain's world number three Jon Rahm, former British Open winner Henrik Stenson of Sweden and Australian Marc Leishman were tied at 6-under.

Leishman started the day in solo second, two shots behind Reed. He opened with a steady six pars before a bogey at the seventh.