Strong breezes and bright sunshine greeted the leaders in today's final round of the US Masters as Padraig Harrington made an encouraging start in his bid to make up ground on overnight leader Trevor Immelman.

Starting the day nine shots off the pace, two early birdies propelled the Dubliner to four-under while Immelman dropped a stroke on the first hole to move back to 10-under.

Immelman was soon joined by Brandt Snedeker who rolled in a 40-footer to eagle the par-five second hole.

Two behind Immelman overnight, Snedeker struck a superb second shot into the heart of the green before sinking a double-breaking putt to get to 10 under.

Immelman, aiming to become the first South African since Gary Player in 1978 to clinch a green jacket, parred the hole after failing to get up and down from the right greenside bunker for birdie.

Both Snedeker and playing partner Immelman had bogeyed the par-four first after hitting errant drives.

Immelman, seeking his first major title, pushed his tee shot right into trees before punching out to the far side of the fairway. Although he found the green with his third, he two-putted for a five.

Snedeker, who won his maiden PGA Tour title at last year's Wyndham Championship, drove into the left rough before missing the green to the right with his approach.

Paul Casey, one under for the day after three holes, was tied for third at eight under with left-hander Steve Flesch, also after three holes.

Stewart Cink, boosted by birdies at the first and second, was a further two strokes back in fifth.

Tiger Woods, a four times champion at Augusta and the overwhelming favourite at the start of the week, parred the first three holes before running up a two-putt bogey at the fourth.

The world number one found the front bunker off the tee, splashed out and lipped out with his par putt.

Conditions were difficult at a sun-drenched Augusta National with tight pin positions and strong gusts of around 50 kph forecast for later in the afternoon.