By all accounts, this was going to be the biggest reeling in job since Ahab tried to net Moby Dick.

You could say it was whale of a task, not just for those queuing up to have a go at catching Jordan Spieth on the final day of the 79th Masters but for the runaway leader himself as he tried to hold his nerve in this most pressurised of arenas and become only the fifth wire-to-wire champion in the tournament's storied history.

It was an overcast start to Masters Sunday but the shimmering sense of anticipation was never going to be dulled. The scent of victory was hanging in the air ... or was it the waft of southern fried chicken? Whatever it was, it made for a mouth watering sensation.

Saturday night's finale to a captivating, undulating third round was fevered and provided a vivid reminder that, in this unpredictable, fickle game, nothing is finished until caps are removed and hands are shaken on the final green.

In this mind mangling pursuit, there was a lot praying on the minds as the leading groups marched off into the frontline yesterday afternoon. Four years ago, a 21-year-old led the Masters by four shots going into the closing 18 holes and ballooned to an 80. Yesterday, there was another 21-year-old holding a similar advantage.

The difference between Rory McIlroy in 2011 and Spieth in 2015? Well, McIlroy was leading at a major heading into the final round for the first time in his career. Spieth, by contrast, was in this lofty position here at Augusta 12 months ago on his debut as he found himself tied at the top with Bubba Watson. Indeed, in his last four starts, the young Texan has teed off in the last group four times. He seems as comfortable in this place as he does in his own bed. Of course, the major battleground is a different environment altogether and Augusta National has a habit of gobbling up leaders on the final day. The last time an Englishman won the Masters, in 1996, Nick Faldo carved into Greg Norman's six shot lead on final day to plunder the Green Jacket as his Australian rival imploded. Justin Rose, who had conjured a barnstorming finish to his third round and birdied five of his last six to vault into contention, was looking to perform a similar overhaul. He certainly set about his task with purpose and, like a cold assassin in his dark glasses, the former US Open champion drained a birdie putt on the first to signal his intent and strike an early psychological blow. Spieth was unmoved, though, and calmly followed him in from 10 feet. The race to the finishing line was underway. Phil Mickelson, the three times Masters champion, needed to do something special to keep pace and a birdie on the par-five second, an absolute must when you're playing a colossal catch up game, kept him floating around. All eyes were on Spieth and Rose, though, as they continued to trade birdies. Rose knocked in another on the second to get to within three shots but Spieth was right back at him on the next with a putt that prompted an early first pump. The young Texan kept staving off Rose's attempts to stick a thorn in his side. The 34-year-old Englishman was trying to apply some pressure but on the seventh, he was in the trees off the tee and was still in dicey territory after two blows. A delightfully nipped wedge off a tight lie almost spun back into the hole and Rose saved his par with a putt that performed a wall of death around the hole and led to Rose shoogling his hips in relief. With Spieth leaking a shot, the lead was back to three again but the narrative continued in a familiar vein as the leader kept on responding with courage and conviction. His birdie on the eighth was his 25th of the tournament and tied the Masters record set by Phil Mickelson in 2001. Spieth was etching himself into the record books at every turn and by the halfway stage of this march to glory, the American was five clear on 17-under. The Masters record low aggregate of 18-under was very much in sight and the major record of 19-under was under threat too. Rory McIlroy, who came into the week aiming for the career grand slam, was a distant observer at eight-under with a two-under outward half while Tiger Woods was not having the best of days as he slithered backwards.

The fact that the 39-year-old was here and perched in the upper reaches of the leaderboard after 54-holes in this, his first taste of competitive action for two months, was an encouraging sign and an indication that he can be a golfing force once more. During an eventful third round on Saturday there was a sense that the roars were that bit louder, the interest in the event that bit greater with the Tiger prowling around. The rise in television ratings confirmed that. The 14-time major winner was toiling to get it going on the front nine yesterday but many were glad to see that famous red shirt possess a bit more lustre even if a painful encounter with a tree root on the ninth caused a fair bit of wincing, cursing and a subsequent spell of waywardness.

"He's been absolutely brilliant," said Darren Clarke, the European Ryder Cup captain who beat Woods to the World Matchplay title back in 2000. "He's had a career where he's been questioned and doubted many, many times. There's a reason why he was the best player in the world for a long time and it's great to see him coming back and playing. This game, our professional sport, is a better game for Tiger Woods playing well in it, I think you'll all agree with that."

It was a new, young superstar making a major mark yesterday, though.