Masters officials have admitted that Shingo Katayama was preferred to Colin Montgomerie for Augusta’s only wild-card in order to satisfy the Japanese television market.

AUGUSTA National have left themselves open to criticism on many fronts over the years, most recently in 2003 when becoming involved in an infamous row over their discrimination against women.

FOR the first time this year Tiger Woods and Ernie Els share the same stage this week.

Nick Faldo shot a hole-in-one, the 10th of his career, at the start of the US PGA championship third round today.

Japan’s Shingo Katayama and American David Toms lead the way at the USPGA Championship after both moved to seven under par during yesterday’s second round.

USPGA Leaderboard

Tee-off times in the third round of the Masters tournament at Augusta National, Georgia, (USA unless stated, all times Irish):