U.S. golfer Tiger Woods hits a driver off the 12th tee during third round play on the south course at Torrey Pines. Photo / Reuters
SAN DIEGO - Five-times champion Tiger Woods tightened his grip on a 62nd PGA Tour title by surging eight strokes clear after the Buick Invitational third round on Saturday.
Four ahead overnight, the world number one doubled his lead with a flawless six-under-par 66 on the South Course
at Torrey Pines.
That left him on 18-under 198, well ahead of playing partner and fellow American Stewart Cink, who rolled in a 35-foot eagle putt at the last for a 69.
American Joe Durant was a further stroke back in third at nine under after a 67.
Woods, bidding for his fourth successful title at Torrey Pines and sixth overall, wasted a golden opportunity to birdie the par-four second when he missed a four-foot putt.
He collected his first birdie of the day by rolling in a 10-footer at the fourth.
He also birdied the par-four fifth, after hitting a superb approach to two feet, to reach the turn in two-under 34.
A four-iron to three feet set up another birdie at the par-three 11th and Woods strengthened his hold by picking up further shots at the 13th and 16th where he coolly holed a 25-footer.
He also birdied the par-five last after getting up and down from beside the green.
Four-times PGA Tour winner Durant acknowledged the size of the task facing Woods' challengers.
"What can you say? He plays great here," Durant told reporters. "The course obviously sets up great for him.
"We're trying but the guy is unbelievable. He's playing fantastic. Nothing else can be said."
Three-times champion Phil Mickelson, 11 strokes off the pace at the start, ended the day 13 back after a 68.
The American left-hander rocketed up the leaderboard by scorching the front nine in six-under 30 but ran up three three-putt bogeys after the turn.
"Overall, today felt good," said Mickelson. "I hit a lot of great shots and I drove the ball well. After tomorrow's final round I will look back and assess where I am with my game.
"I'm a week behind in my schedule after spending several days in bed," he added, referring to the respiratory problem he has battled since October.
- REUTERS
