AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) – Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods led the way as the birdie roars returned to the U.S. Masters with a vengeance on Sunday, setting up one of the most exciting final rounds at Augusta National.

Although the atmosphere lost some of its electricity as the season’s opening major limped to an untidy finish with Argentina’s Angel Cabrera winning a three-way playoff, memories will remain sharply etched for every spectator.

Cold and windy conditions in 2007 and 2008 had conspired to leave Augusta strangely silent on the back nine with pars, not birdies, the ultimate prize for the players.

Twelve months ago South African Trevor Immelman won the coveted Green Jacket with a closing three-over 75 in tricky, swirling winds.

Organisers were widely criticised for making the course too tough after lengthening it to a monster 7 445 yards but club chairman Billy Payne felt the weather had been the most significant factor.

“Since the most recent, substantial changes to the course in 2006 we have not had good weather over the weekend,” he said on the eve of the tournament.

“The players have not had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills against the competitive test of the course. I think we are going to see some good scores this week and see the course played as it was designed to be played.

“I think we are going to be pleased with the results. No one wants to hear the roars and the excitement more than the members and the volunteers who put on the tournament.”

Payne proved to be right as 34 eagles and 977 birdies were piled up last week compared to 19 and 758 in 2008.

Twice champion Mickelson sparked electricity rarely felt at Augusta with a burst of six birdies in seven holes on Sunday.

Playing in a high voltage pairing with four-time champion Woods that attracted huge galleries, the American left-hander raced to the turn in a record equalling six-under-par 30.

WOODS FIREWORKS
World number one Woods, although not at his best, provided his own fireworks with birdies on 13, 15 and 16 to surge into contention for the title.

Although Mickelson and Woods bogeyed the 18th to fall short of the playoff, their heavyweight duel was one to savour.

“It was Sunday at Augusta,” said Mickelson. “It was sunny and the temperature was 75 degrees. It was the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.”

Champion Cabrera contributed his own slice of the extraordinary on the first hole of the playoff against Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell.

The burly Argentine escaped from deep in the Georgia pines and deflected a shot off the trees out on to the fairway before saving par to keep his hopes alive.

“I only had a spot, and only trees, so I’ve got to put it through there,” said Cabrera.

“It’s a course where you can make a lot of birdies, a lot of bogeys.

“A lot of magical things happen. It’s simply the Masters.”

Perry, two shots ahead with two holes left in regulation, let victory slip from his grasp as he bogeyed the 17th and 18th to set up the playoff.

It was a wild and messy finale for Perry, Campbell and even Cabrera but the 73rd Masters, with the birdie roars finally back, will never be forgotten.

“This tournament is always going to have its fans,” said the champion. “They are always going to have big applause and emotion. It is simply one of the best tournaments in the world.”