AUGUSTA, Georgia (AFP) — Phil Mickelson unleashed back-to-back eagles in the third round of the Masters yesterday to all-but reel in runaway leader Lee Westwood and set up a thrilling finale.

The 39-year-old American’s two master-strokes en route to a five-under 67 were the crown jewels on a day of breath-taking shot-making that electrified the Augusta National crowds.

When the dust had settled, Westwood led the tournament at 12-under par 204 after carding a 68 with Mickelson one back after a 67.

Tiger Woods, meanwhile, saw his campaign for a fifth Masters green jacket and 15th major title lose some momentum as he had to settle for a 70 that left him tied for third with playing partner KJ Choi of South Korea (70) four strokes off the lead.

Westwood, the 36-year-old Englishman and European number one, was coasting along four clear of playing partner Ian Poulter and five ahead of Mickelson as he walked off the 10th green, only for the 39-year-old American to produce two moments of Masters magic.

He first sunk a seven-footer to grab his second eagle of the tournament at the par-five 13th, the closing leg of the Amen Corner trilogy.

Minutes later, he lit up Augusta National by holing his 139-yard second shot at the tough, par-four 14th.

It was just the third time in Masters history that twin eagles had been recorded and with Westwood promptly dropping a shot at the par-three 12th, Mickelson was joint leader at 11-under.

Incredibly, Mickelson came within three inches of making it an unprecedented three eagles in three holes as his pitch to the par-five 15th came up just short. He tapped in to lead the tournament at 12 under.

A clearly rattled Westwood then overhit his own approach to 13, although he managed to save his par.

Joining in the fun was crowd favourite Freddie Couples, who birdied the 14th and then eagled the 15th to move up into third place at eight-under, although he was to drop one at the last for a 68 and sole possession of fifth at seven-under.

Mickelson then bogeyed the 17th and Westwood birdied the 15th as the lead changed hands a final time.

Woods, meanwhile, was at odds with his game and cursing himself for most of the day.

He started brightly with a 15-foot par for birdie at the first and followed up with an 18-footer at the third to get to eight under.

Also staying in the hunt were a trio on six under — American young guns Hunter Mahan (68) and Ricky Barnes (72), along with England’s Poulter (74).