DiMarco aiming to win the Mickelson way

Chris DiMarco plans to follow the winning approach taken by Phil Mickelson at last year's U.S. Masters in his bid to clinch the green jacket for the first time on Sunday.

American DiMarco, four strokes clear after nine holes in the third round on Saturday when fading light halted play, believes a patient start and an aggressive back nine are the keys to success at Augusta National.

"Going out and trying to hold on to a lead isn't going to do it," said DiMarco, who tied for sixth last year.

"You've got to go out and step on it.

"That's what Ernie (Els) did last year, that's why he almost won and that's why Phil won on the back nine. That's what you have to do around here."

A charging Els led by two strokes with five holes remaining 12 months ago before he was overhauled by Mickelson who scorched round the back nine in five-under 31.

"If you look in the years past, the '80s and '90s, you watch the guys who won," DiMarco added. "They won on the back.

"Somebody came from behind to win the tournament or, if they were ahead, they shot a good number on the back nine."

DiMarco, who leads three-times champion Tiger Woods by four strokes with 27 holes remaining, is not concerned whether he played with the former world number one in the final round.

"He's going to shoot his numbers," he said. "Whether it's in front of me or whether it's with me, it doesn't matter.

"I just have to worry about my own game.

"I'm going to go out and have fun tomorrow. I'm hitting the ball really good and I'm putting really good."

"On this course, if you stay patient in it, you're going to have birdie opportunities. And that's what I'm going to try to do."

The American Ryder Cup player believes he will benefit from playing nine more holes before starting the final round in the weather-hit tournament.

"The good thing about tomorrow is I'll get a good feel for how I'm doing early," he said. "I'll get to play the back nine. I'll get a feel of the greens of the day.

"I'm going to go out and have fun tomorrow."