Lee Westwood lost just one stroke to par on Saturday to hold his position as leader of the US Masters 2010, whilst his playing partner, Ian Poulter dropped shots at 5th, 6th, 10th and 12th. Despite Fred Couples’ comments about Mickelson, Westwood’s solid play makes him the man to beat.

It’s hard to imagine Westwood crumbling under the pressure, even on the back nine of Augusta to become the first English winner of a Major for years. It’s going to be up to Mickelson, Woods, Choi and Couples to hit a round in the 60s, or maybe Kim and Poulter find their putting touch and post an early low clubhouse lead.

At one point on Saturday, Westwood seemed to be running away with the tournament, until he was reigned in by a crowd-pleasing charge by Phil Mickelson who unbelievably missed by only inches at the 15th on making three eagles in row.

Although his play so far and his calm demenour all point to a Westwood win, I can’t help seeing a pumped-up and competitive Mickelson bullying the back nine into giving up enough birdies to take that Green Jacket. And of all possible eventualities this year, and as wonderful as a win by an English golfer would be, the result I would most like to see is Fred Couples, buoyed by the crowd, repeat his first round 66 and win his second Masters title at 50 years old.