Johnson closer to wearing green jacket

MANILA, Philippines — Top-ranked Dustin Johnson seized command of the Masters on Saturday, matching the 54-hole record at Augusta National to grab a four-stroke lead in quest of a second major title.

Pulling away from an elite field at Augusta National, the 36-year-old American, who grew up only an hour’s drive from the course, fired a seven-under-par 65 to stand on 16-under-par 200 after three rounds.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence in everything I’m doing,” Johnson said. “Tomorrow I’m going to have to go out and do the same kind of thing.

“I’ve got a lot of of great players around me. I’m going to have to play a really good round if I want to put on that green jacket.”

He is the first player to shoot 65 or better twice in the same Masters after a first-round 65.

Im Sung-jae, a 22-year-old South Korean who could become the first debut Masters winner since 1979, closed with a birdie to shoot 68 and share second on 204 with Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, another Augusta newcomer, and Australia’s Cameron Smith.

Defending champion Tiger Woods, who began four strokes off the pace, battled through back pain to shoot 72 and stand on 211, answering bogeys at the par-5 eighth and par-4 11th with birdies at the par-3 12th and par-5 15th.