Garcia, Rose poised for Masters back nine showdown

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Justin Rose answered a bogey with three consecutive birdies to rejoin Sergio Garcia at the top of the US Masters leaderboard on Sunday and set up a back nine showdown between the Englishman and the Spaniard for a Green Jacket.

Garcia and Rose began the day as co-leaders and with nine holes to play in year's first major were at eight under par, still deadlocked after contrasting starts.

The fiery Spaniard, bidding to end nearly two decades of major disappointment, got his day off to brilliant start rolling in a short birdie putt at the first then added another at the third on way to a three-shot lead.

Rose was not as quick out of gate but after a bogey at the fifth caught fire reeling off three straight birdies at six, seven and eight, displaying a silky putting touch to lay down the gauntlet and once again join Garcia at the top of the leaderboard.

Sitting three back of the pacesetters is American young gun Rickie Fowler, with South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, lurking one shot further adrift.

After a week of battling challenging weather from torrential rains to howling winds, golfers were greeted by ideal scoring conditions on Sunday, blue skies and a gentle breeze providing the perfect backdrop for some final round drama.

Englishman Paul Casey made the most of conditions ringing up four birdies on an error free outward nine to get to three-under alongside Belgian Thomas Pieters.

Four-times major winner Ernie Els playing in his 23rd Masters, took what could have been his final bow at Augusta National, signing off with six-over 78 leaving the South African rock bottom of leaderboard on 20-over.

With his five year exemption for winning the 2012 British Open about to expire, Els will not get an automatic invitation back to Augusta next year.

The Big Easy has not given up hope of playing in a 24th Masters but will have to now qualify for the tournament like every other golfer.

"This tournament was just not for me," said the South African, a Masters runner-up in 2000 and 2004. "But I have loved every minute of being here and I'll come back somehow.

"Maybe just to have a couple of beers." — Reuters