Tiger Woods had one of the more bizarre first rounds in Masters history.

There was the putt that ran off No. 13 and into the tributary of Rae's Creek. And the approach shot that hit the flagstick on No. 1 but ended up in the bunker.

But if there was any question about how Woods would respond to his early adversity, he gave a resounding answer Saturday.

Woods, a three-time Masters winner, had a jaw-dropping day, going 11-under par over 26 holes to get to 9-under for the tournament and within four strokes of leader Chris DiMarco before the third round was stopped because of darkness.

Both Woods and DiMarco have 27 holes to play today.

"Well, I've just got to set myself up," Woods said. "We've got 27 holes to go. As I said out there, it's a long, patient day, and I've just got to continue being patient and plod your way along, because, you know, we're obviously going to have some time between rounds, get focused, get something to eat and off you go again."

Woods started his day with a birdie on No. 2 and made six more second-round birdies - offset by one bogey - to card 6-under-par 66 and move to 4-under overall.

"It was a nice turnaround," he said after the second round. "I hit the ball better. The three-putt (on No. 14) was the only disappointing thing all day."

Woods then had to wait about three hours before teeing off for the third round.

He didn't seem bothered.

Woods birdied five of his nine third-round holes before play was halted, including the last three holes he finished - Nos. 7, 8 and 9.

DiMarco birdied Nos. 2, 7 and 9 to maintain a four-shot lead over Woods.

DiMarco said he needs to continue attacking, adding that he didn't care if he is paired with the 29-year-old Woods today.

"It doesn't really matter, to tell you the truth," he said. "It all depends. He's going to shoot his numbers; whether it's in front of me or whether it's with me, it doesn't matter."

Thomas Bjorn is one shot back of Woods at 8-under par.

"I've seen (Woods) play the best golf of his life, probably, in Pebble Beach in 2000 (at the U.S. Open), and I know what he is capable of doing," Bjorn said.

Woods has never won a major that he didn't lead going into the final round, and he still has nine holes to claim the lead before the final round begins.

"We have a long way to go," Woods said.

"I look at it, the fact that I've got 27 holes to go, and I've got to grind it out tomorrow. It's going to be another long day."

Reach Jonathan Heeter at (706) 868-1222 or jonathan.heeter@augustachronicle.com.

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