AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Strong breezes and bright sunshine greeted the early starters in Sunday's final round of the U.S. Masters as overnight pacesetter Trevor Immelman of South Africa prepared for an afternoon start.

Immelman, seeking his first major title, was scheduled to tee off at 1425 local (7:25 p.m. British time) with American Brandt Snedeker in the last pairing at Augusta National Golf Club.

The 28-year-old South African, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the 2006 Western Open, fired a three-under-par 69 on Saturday for an 11-under total of 205, two ahead of Snedeker (70).

American left-hander Steve Flesch is alone in third at eight under with Britain's Paul Casey at seven under and the ominous figure of world number one Tiger Woods in fifth place at five under.

Woods, a four times champion at Augusta and the overwhelming favourite at the start of the week, is bidding for his 14th major title.

However, he accepts he faces an uphill task in the final round with cold weather and strong gusts of around 50 kph forecast for the afternoon.

"If everything holds up and we get the weather we're supposed to get, you just got to hang in there and hang around," Woods told reporters after shooting a third-round 68. "You know that anything can happen.

"There's not many guys ahead of me but it all depends on what they do, how low they go. Hopefully, I can stay within striking distance."

South Korea's K.J. Choi made the first upward move among the day's early starters, reaching the turn in two-under 34.

Although Choi bogeyed the par-four first, he picked up shots at the second, seventh and eighth to get to seven over for the tournament.

(Editing by Miles Evans)