Tiger Woods increased his lead to three strokes over the field in the third round of the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open, TPC of Europe at St.Leon Rot after firing a brilliant 68 for an 11 under par total of 205.
Woods, aiming to make it two wins out of two in full European Tour events, had been two ahead at halfway but after his controlled performance in the third round, he goes into the final day with a three stroke advantage over two Englishman in Peter Baker and Brian Davis.
Both Ryder Cup player Baker and Davis, from Hertfordshire, clicked with 66s to move to eight under par, one better than Ernie Els, who was frustrated with his putter but still managed a round of 70.
Now, the pair will be have cope with the ‘Tiger Mania’ phenomenon which has gripped Heidelberg over the past week.
Baker admitted: “I am starting in a good position and am looking forward to playing with Tiger. It’s a new experience for me – and him! I don’t suppose he has ever been to Wolverhampton.”
Woods, unsurprisingly, agreed that he had never visited the Midlands town which is home to Baker. However he was familiar with his partner in the final round. He said: “I remember how well he played in the Ryder Cup at The Belfry. I believe he was not playing to his normal standards but is starting to pick it up again.”
Woods was thankful for a fast start and a fast finish for his excellent score. He eagled the first from 40 feet and birdied the last from 30 feet to put daylight between the field and himself.
Two seasons ago, he won the Johnnie Walker Classic after a dramatic play-off with Els in Thailand, and he still rates the South African as a major threat in the final round.
Els covered the last seven holes in three under par for a round of 70 and total of 209 but he said: “I holed from 35 feet at the last and that was a bonus. I didn’t take advantage of the day like Nick Price did, but if everything falls into place tomorrow then I have a chance.”
Price, in fact, just made the cut on three over par but, out second in the early morning sunshine, the three-time major winner ripped out seven birdies and carded a new course record of 65.
Colin Montgomerie worked hard to hang around the top of the leaderboard but was frustrated with a round of 71 for 212, while joint first round leader Gary Orr holed a sand wedge at the last to join his playing partner, Sergio Garcia, on 211.
The hard luck story of the day centred on Garcia. The teenager made six birdies but feel foul of the water hazards guarding the ninth and 18th greens. On both occasions he double bogeyed and had to settle for a 71 which he felt should have been infinitely better.
