Woods one round away

World number one set to draw level with Arnie

Last updated: 28th January 2008

Buick Invitational January 2008 tiger woods

Woods: In command

Buick Invitational
Third round leaders
US unless stated
-18 T Woods
-10 S Cink
-9 J Durant
-7 J Leonard
-7 D LaBelle II

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Overnight leader Tiger Woods carded a six under par 66 to lead the field at the Buick Invitational by eight shots after three rounds.

The world number one, who is now just one round away from winning his 62nd PGA Tour title, showed no signs of complacency on a glorious day of sunshine on the South Course at Torrey Pines.

He made birdies on the fourth, fifth, 11th, 13th, 15th and 18th in a bogey-free round to extend his overnight lead by four shots.

US Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink finished out alone in second on 10 under, while fellow American Joe Durant shot a 69 to finish in third.

Forecast

The only real doubt now doubt is when Woods will be able to seal his fourth successive victory at Torrey Pines, and sixth overall. Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Sunday's final round and a Monday finish is looking increasingly likely.

"We're going to probably have to get it in on Monday and, if so, so be it," Woods said.

"I'll still go over there (to Dubai) and play. I think I'll still be in time to play the pro-am, which will be my practice round, then tee it up on Thursday. It's a short flight. It's only 20 (hours)," he joked.

When - and it is surely when rather than if such is Woods' record as a front-runner - he wins, Woods will join Arnold Palmer in fourth place in the all-time standings for PGA Tour career victories. Only Sam Snead (82), Jack Nicklaus (73) and Ben Hogan (64) have won more tournaments.