Tiger Woods remains on course to claim the first ever Grand Slam of all four majors in one year. The American currently leads the US Open by four strokes over Spain's Sergio Garcia after three rounds. Woods worked well down the back nine and establish a commanding lead with two birdies in the last four holes for a five-under-par total of 205.
Woods struggled to make a real impression on the field over the third round but the two late birdies gave him the advantage going into the final round on Sunday. "I worked my butt off. I didn't play great, but I hung in there and that's what you have to do. This is the US Open, a major championship.
Garcia took the chance to set up his first-ever major championship encounter with Woods by climbing back into second place. He finished with a 67 despite some barracking, an expected response to comments he made after his third round about the weather, about the fans and about Woods getting preferential treatment from officials.
"I could handle it. Everything was fine and I'm really glad to be playing with Tiger. I can't wait to get started and see if I play as well as I did today. If I do I give myself a chance. We will see what happens", said Garcia. His comments centred over the decision to continue play on Friday when many parts of Bethpage Black were becoming flooded.
Phil Mickelson lies in joint third, one shot behind Garcia with fellow American Jeff Maggert on level par. Padraig Harrington is the best of the Irish challengers on one-over-par, while Ulsterman Darren Clarke remains down the field on ten-over after his third round.
Filed by James Shortt
