By Rob Mueller
Staff Writer
Augusta Chronicle

For some reason, the memories of his third-round fold at the 1990 British Open don't seem to concern Greg Norman.

After a second straight stellar round at the 60th Masters Tournament, the Australian's loose as a goose, and living up to the world's No. 1-ranking.

It's his 3-under-par 69 Friday to go 12-under for the tournament that has Norman in such good spirits. Now, he says he'll simply try to carry over what got him his four-stroke lead over Nick Faldo, the man who burned him 67 to 76 in the third round at St. Andrews nearly six years ago.

``You just understand guys on the leaderboard are not going to disappear,'' says Norman, who was even with Faldo halfway through the '90 British Open, before stumbling to a tie for sixth. ``Guys have won many championships up there. You expect to see that, but you don't think about it. I enjoyed playing with Fuzzy (Zoeller) on Thursday and Phil (Mickelson) today, and I'll enjoy playing with Nick tomorrow. You think about you and your own job at hand.''

The 41-year-old was so relaxed after his round Friday, as he talked about his dabblings in zen. He teased reporters with a risque Australian expression to describe his extremely fast putt on No. 11 that he sunk for a birdie, then left them hanging and laughing by not elaborating.

One that was suitable for print, regarding the therapy he's receiving on his back: ``We all need some kind of treatment, all the time. Some of us need mental, some need physical.''

Following his 5-under-par 67 Friday to go 8-under for the tournament, Faldo was typically cut-and-dry, perhaps a bit less relaxed than Norman on the eve of the third-round showdown with his longtime rival.

When Faldo and Norman tee off as the last group today at 2:09 p.m., it will be the first time they have played together in a major since St. Andrews in '90.

``It looks like Greg's in control of everything the way he's going,'' says the 38-year-old, who won back-to-back Masters titles in 1989-90. ``Greg was way ahead, and going along nicely, so I've taken every chance I was given today. I'm pleased about the scrambling I did today. You've got to do the same thing (Saturday), just be aggressive and play hard.''

One thing Faldo has that Norman wants, though, is the elusive Masters title. Norman has won 16 titles on the PGA Tour during his 13-year professional career, including two British Opens, but no American majors.

Faldo, with just four tour wins, boasts five major championships - two Masters and three British Opens.

``I'm feeling very comfortable right now, and the course is playing tough, but good,'' says Norman. ``There's a lot of scores up there from the guys who have the capability to shoot low. All I do is shoot the best I can. If it's good enough at the end of the week to win, I'm a happy camper.''