Molinari blocks out Tiger roar to grab lead

Francesco Molinari blocked out the buzz from Tiger Woods charging up the leaderboard yesterday at the Masters and produced solid golf that looks spectacular only on the scorecard.

Molinari played bogey-free for the second straight round at Augusta National yesterday and took advantage of the rainsoftened course for a 6-under 66, giving the British Open champion a two-shot lead going into the final round.

Woods made three straight birdies on the front and finished with three birdies over his last six holes for a 67, his best score at the Masters since the final round in 2011.

Joining them will be Tony Finau, playing this year on two good ankles after a self-inflicted injury a year ago. He was part of a history-making third round as one of three players to shoot 64.

Molinari was at 13-under 203, two shots ahead of Woods and Finau.

‘‘Obviously, he’s playing great,’’ Molinari said of Woods. ‘‘But a lot of guys are playing great. I wish I only had to worry about him. I think a few more are going to come out tomorrow and try to shoot a low one.’’

Another shot behind was Brooks Koepka, who has won three of the last six majors and had a 69 despite four bogeys.

Woods has won all 14 of his majors when he had at least a share of the lead going into the final round. He brings momentum to this major, having contended in the last two.

‘‘It’s been a while since I’ve been in contention here,’’ Woods said. ‘‘But then again, the last two majors count for something. I’ve been in the mix with a chance to win major championships in the last two years, and so that helps.’’

Woods looked good as new, even for a 43-year-old who hasn’t won a major in nearly 11 years. Not since 2013 in the British Open as Muirfield has he been within two shots of the lead.

He joined the chasing pack on a day when going neutral meant losing ground on a course in which 65 players combined to go 80-under par, at 70.77 the secondlowest scoring average in Masters history.

But Molinari, playing in the final group, just kept on rolling.