Tiger Woods said he welcomed the arrival of a new generation of gifted young players, but insisted he would have no mercy on them as he tries to close in on a fifth Masters title.

The 36-year-old former world No.1 bounced back into contention at Augusta National late Friday with a stunning nine birdies en route to a six-under 66.

That left him in a tie for third place with South Korea’s K.J. Choi but three behind 21-year-old leader Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, and two back of 23-year-old Australian Jason Day.

Both of them have said that watching the young Woods emerge into super-stardom by winning the 1997 Masters by 12 strokes had inspired them to pursue a career in golf.

McIlroy was seven at the time and Day nine, an observation that had Woods shaking his head and smiling ruefully at the passing of the years.

“It’s the next generation,” he said.

“It’s good to see these guys out here playing and that much enthusiasm and that much zest for the game. That generation is going to be a fun one to watch and how it matures over the next 10, 15 years.”

The fun, though, he insisted will not extend to this weekend.

It made no difference to him who was lying ahead of him going into Masters weekend at Augusta National, his intention was to mow them down.

“I’m just trying to put myself in the mix,” Woods said.

“It’s irrelevant who is there. My whole job is to get myself there.”