Bernhard Langer, 58, eyes unlikeliest of Masters wins

Twitter-savvy golf fans will be familiar with #59watch - a hashtag often used on the social media platform when a player is threatening to pull off the spectacular achievement of breaking 60 in a round.

At Augusta on Sunday, however, many viewers are likely to be transfixed by an unexpected #58watch, as two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer aims to make golfing history.

The veteran German, 31 years since securing his first green jacket and only four months shy of his 59th birthday, is firmly in contention at Augusta once again after besting none other than world number one Jason Day on Saturday.

The 1:30pm (EDT) tee-off time in round three was always likely to attract plenty of attention given the presence of Day, yet the Australian's admirable round of 71 was sensationally surpassed by his playing partner, Langer plotting his way to a sublime 70 in tough conditions as the likes of Rory McIlroy faltered.

Tied for third at one under, Langer is just two shots behind leader Jordan Spieth and in with a shout of becoming the oldest winner of one of golf's premier strokeplay events by more than a decade.

Tom Watson, who played his final Masters this week, famously came close to a remarkable sixth Open Championship triumph at the age of 59 in 2009, but it remains the case that no player has won a major after turning 50.

However, Langer believes it is only a matter of time before that changes - regardless of how he fares on Sunday - with leading golfers able to remain competitive long after the retirement age in most sports.

Consider the contemporaries of Langer, who belongs to the same generation as the likes of Daley Thompson (57) and Bjorn Borg (59).

The latter duo would clearly have no chance if they were pitted against modern-day counterparts Ashton Eaton or Novak Djokovic this weekend, but Langer heads into the final round at Augusta as a genuine challenger to one of his game's biggest stars.

Spieth, 22, had not even been born when Langer won the Masters for a second time in April 1993, but is not underestimating the German's threat.

"He's a force to be reckoned with," the defending champion said of his grizzled rival after the third round.

"I would say I'm surprised, except for, doesn't he win almost every tournament on the Champions Tour? He's a guy that certainly knows how to close [out a tournament], and close here."

Langer, who tied eighth at Augusta as recently as 2014, was relaxed as he assessed his own hopes, stating: "For a 58-year-old, it's fun to be in this position and play with the best in the world."

However, he also made it clear he believes he can win … and it will certainly be enjoyable to see him try.