Laird three shots clear

Laird: Holds three-shot lead

Third-round leaderboard
US unless stated
-12 M Laird (Sco)
-9 D Johnson
-9 J Day (Aus)
-8 A Scott (Aus)

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Martin Laird shot a six-under-par 65 on Saturday to claim a three-shot lead after the third round of The Barclays tournament at Ridgewood Country Club.

The 27-year-old Scot, who is chasing his second PGA Tour title, did not drop a shot and reeled off four birdies in a row from the second hole. He then picked up further shots at the 10th and the 17th on his way to a 12-under-par total.

Overnight leader Jason Day (70) is in joint second place alongside Dustin Johnson after shooting a 70. Johnson was one of the day's big movers thanks to a 64 while Day's fellow Australian Adam Scott (68) is in fourth place on eight under.

Justin Rose matched Laird's score and also made six birdies as he moved into a tie for fifth place alongside five other players including early pacesetter Vaughan Taylor (71).

The Englishman is one of several players, including Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey and Luke Donald, facing an anxious wait to see whether he is one of Colin Montgomerie's Ryder Cup wildcard picks.

Last chance

With Montgomerie set to name his picks during Sunday's final round, Rose knew that the third round was his last chance to make an impression.

He said: "I think he makes his picks before we even see it up tomorrow. So today was the big day for me.

"I think I just had to make a little bit of noise. I think it's a tight selection process right now where it is tied for the lead in Scotland (at the Johnnie Walker Championship), Luke Donald, Harrington and Casey as well.

"It can go any way. He's got many combinations that will work for him. I had a little bit of a flat last month. So it's just been nice to make a little bit of noise and shoot a great round to show him my game is there.

"I went out there to play calm and really enjoy my round of golf. I didn't go out there to try and prove anything today. But I'm glad that it worked out. I think it's a timely round of golf."

Casey, Harrington and Ian Poulter are all on five under after rounds of 70, 71 and 66 respectively, while Donald is one three under after a 68.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods has work to do to stay alive in the first event of the FedExCup play-offs.

A one over 72 left the world number one well off the pace - Woods getting his third round off to a dreadful start by hitting a three wood into a car park.

He ended up with triple-bogey seven and never regained ground. Although Woods finished birdie-birdie he stands in a tie for 28th place, nine shots off the pace.

With only the top 100 in the FedExCup standings advancing to the Deutsche Bank Championship next week, Woods, who entered the tournament ranked 112th, needs a solid round on Sunday to progress.

Poor start

"In the end, it probably cost me a chance to win the tournament," Woods said of his poor start. "But I'm pleased with how I sucked it up and got it back the rest of the day, when it easily could have gone the other way.

"Hitting a ball like that, it can derail you. And it didn't. I got it right back."

Woods created a stir on Thursday when he shot a 65 to seize a share of the first-round lead alongside Taylor.

The round was his lowest since the scandal which erupted around him last November and came just three days after his divorce from Elin Nordegren was announced.

He faltered on Friday, however, falling four shots off the halfway lead.