Tim Clark said before Saturday's third round of the Masters Tournament that the rainy weather would make Augusta National Golf Club "much more in favor of the longer guys (off the tee).

Tim Clark misses a very short birdie putt on No. 3. He was at 3 under for the first five holes to begin the third round and is one shot back of the leader. (Andrew Davis Tucker/Staff)

"I wouldn't imagine the course to favor the shorter hitters now at all," Clark said during the four-hour, 18-minute weather delay. "(The rain) is not going to help us. ... There's nothing you can do."

By the time the day was over, however, the 31-year-old South African who played golf at North Carolina State had proved himself wrong.

Clark entered the round tied for fifth, and he went out on a softer, wetter course late Saturday and made three birdies in five holes.

He is tied for second at 5-under-par through 41 holes and has a four-foot birdie putt at No. 6 when he resumes play today.

"I hit some really good shots and could be even a few more under par," Clark said. "The way I'm playing certainly bodes well."

Clark's best finish in the Masters is a tie for 13th in 2003. He tied for 39th last year and hasn't won on the PGA Tour yet. He opened with rounds of 70 and 72 and looks in good shape to improve those scores today.

"(Sunday) is a whole different day," Clark said.

"(The winner) probably will be the one who is the most patient ... somebody who doesn't make any big numbers."

When it comes to driving length, Clark certainly doesn't put up big numbers.

He entered the tournament ranked 175th on the PGA Tour in driving distance at 276.3 yards. This week, he is averaging 282.6 yards off the tee.

In contrast, Clark's third-round playing partner, Ernie Els, has averaged 292 yards off the tee.

His strength, however, has been his accuracy. Clark has hit 25 of 32 fairways and 32 of 41 greens compared to 28 for Mickelson and 25 for Els.

"We're (shorter hitters) going to be hitting a lot longer clubs at the greens," said Clark, who stands 5-foot-7 and weighs 150 pounds.

"You just have to do the best you can, and hopefully I'll continue to hit the ball well and putt well."

Clark has had some success in recent major competitions.

He tied for third in last year's U.S. Open and tied for 17th in the PGA Championship.

He tied for 13th in the 2004 U.S. Open and was third in the 2003 PGA Championship after a top-20 finish in the Masters that year.

While it would seem the longer hitters would be the ones dicing up the par 5s at Augusta National, Clark has done his damage on the course's longest holes.

He is 6 under on par 5s this week while playing the other holes at 1 over.

When asked about playing 30 holes on the final day and who might be favored, Clark replied, "Certainly not me. It's going to be somebody who's fit."

But the way Clark has been playing this week, he is in prime position to prove himself wrong again.

Reach Steve Sanders at (706) 823-3216 or steven.l.sanders@augustachronicle.com.