FLORIDA — Tiger Woods produced another sub-par performance to open up a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Florida.
Reuters
The world number two carded a round of five-under 67 on the TPC Blue Monster at Doral to be 18 under overall and four clear of his nearest rival.
Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell has sole possession of second at minus 14, while experienced American duo Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker are another shot adrift in a share of third place.
But the day belonged to Woods, as the former world number one made seven birdies during his round, only offset by the two dropped shots.
Woods has now recorded a career-high of 24 birdies through 54 holes and has never lost a tournament when leading by four shots or more during his illustrious career.
The wind is expected to be stronger on Sunday, but Woods is happy with how he is hitting the ball and remains confident he can hold on for a seventh victory at the event.
“I think it’s important to be playing well and especially if the wind is going to blow like it is,” Woods said after his round. “I am excited about the way I’m playing, hitting the ball well, making some putts, and it’s just this golf course is getting tricky. “But I’ve won a few tournaments in the wind.
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“I think that if you’re coming from behind, it’s always nice to have tougher conditions.
“But also when you’ve got the nice lead, too, it’s nice to have tougher conditions and you can make a bunch of pars.
“We’ll see how this golf course is playing tomorrow and we’ll see how much water they put on it and how fiery it is.”
World number one Rory McIlroy could only manage a 71 during his third round and is in a tie for 30th place at three under, some 15 shots behind Woods. Spaniard Sergio Garcia and South African Charl Schwartzel share fifth with Americans Michael Thompson and Keegan Bradley.
John Senden is the highest placed Australian at eight under, while compatriot Adam Scott is another two shots back at minus six.
