Long-hitting Cabrera shot a fine three-under-par 69 to share a two-stroke lead with American Kenny Perry (70) after the third round at Augusta National yesterday.

The burly Cabrera, 39, is too young to remember the dark day when De Vicenzo tied American Bob Goalby at the 1968 Masters.

A play-off loomed, but De Vicenzo somehow got his arithmetics wrong, signing for a final-round 66, one stroke more than he actually shot.

Under the harsh rules of golf, there was nothing that could be done to correct the mistake, and De Vicenzo was assigned second place, with a surprised Goalby handed the green jacket with no play-off.

''I was not able to live that bad moment that Roberto had at that time, but now I am playing for myself and trying to make the most of it,'' Cabrera said.

Cabrera is the real deal, and a victory today would make him the only player other than Tiger Woods currently under 50 to have won a Masters and US Open.

He smoked his way to victory at the 2007 US Open, but has since given up cigarettes, which he used to calm his jittery nerves down the stretch at Oakmont.

''Now I don't have a sports psychologist and I don't smoke, but I try to just enjoy my golf,'' he said.

''The difference between now and the US Open was that this third round was much better than the one I played in the US Open.

''I have this position and I have to make the most of it.''

A Perry win would also be a good story because, at 48, he would be the oldest Masters champion.

Cabrera and Perry, at 11-under 205, were two strokes clear of Chad Campbell.

Woods was seven back, while Geoff Ogilvy was the best-placed Australian, nine strokes off the pace. AAP

TODAY

US Masters final round: Augusta National Golf Club. TV Time: Live on Ten from 5.30-9am.