Golf-Masters-Epic Woods v Mickelson duel thrills Augusta crowd

By Steve Keating

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 12 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson sparked loud roars at Augusta National on Sunday when golf's two titans clashed in an epic U.S. Masters showdown.

Starting the final round seven shots off the pace it appeared as if the duo would be playing for pride more than a Green Jacket, providing an intriguing undercard to the main event featuring co-leaders Kenny Perry and Angel Cabrera.

However the world's top two players would not concede the spotlight, pulling each other into contention with a display of magical shot-making.

Mickelson and Woods briefly moved within a shot of the lead on the back nine before their title bids unravelled.

They did, though, give the galleries a thrilling ride that will stay long in the memory, world number one Woods and his four Green Jackets and number two Mickelson and his two Masters crowns going toe-to-toe on an afternoon of high drama.

As the two rivals made their way to the first tee it seemed as if every spectator was crammed around the opening hole, the air thick with tension and anticipation.

"I was hoping they would have a little boxing match," American Perry told reporters after losing out to Argentine Cabrera on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff that also featured Chad Campbell of the U.S. "I was in awe of what they were doing in front of me. When I saw Tiger and Phil get to 10 under I was like, wow, they must be having a lot of fun."

After shaking hands Mickelson and Woods came out swinging, paired together in the final round of a major for only the third time.