Tiger Woods is on track to retain the Arnold Palmer Invitational title as he takes a two-shot lead into Sunday&aposs final round. Woods carded a six-under-par 66 in his third round at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, to lead ahead of a three-way tie for second place. And there is plenty of incentive for the 37-year-old to get the job done on the final day in Orlando, Florida. An eighth triumph at the tournament would see him equal Sam Snead&aposs record for most wins in a single PGA Tour event. And with Rory McIlroy skipping this week&aposs competition, victory would also see Woods reclaim the world number one ranking he surrendered in October 2010. It was a commanding performance from the 14-time major champion on &aposmoving day&apos, as he sunk birdies at four, six and seven to reach the turn three under for his round. Another birdie followed at 10 before the first hint of a wobble appeared with a bogey five at 13. Woods had flirted with disaster on day two when he posted three consecutive bogeys between the 16th and 18th. But there no repeat of that slump a day later, with a birdie at 15 and eagle at 16 setting him up for what would be a third victory in just three months of the 2013 season. Ominously for the rest of the field, Woods has won 41 of the 43 PGA Tour events in which he held the outright lead after 54 holes. Joining him in the last pairing on Sunday will be fellow American Rickie Fowler, who posted a five-under 67 to join John Huh and overnight leader Justin Rose in a tie for second spot. A one-under 71 was good enough for American Huh to force his way into contention, while Englishman Rose just kept in touch after battling to a even-par 72. American Bill Haas, who had shared the lead with Rose after Friday&aposs second round, slipped back to a share of fifth following a disappointing 73. United States duo Ken Duke and Jimmy Walker, along with Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Denmark&aposs Thorbjorn Olesen, are the other players tied for fifth at eight under. Further down the leaderboard, Jason Day and John Senden were the best-placed of the four Australians left in the field, tied for 20th at three under. But all eyes are sure to be on Woods over the closing 18 holes, as he looks to add to his remarkable haul of 76 PGA Tour victories.
Author: Omnisport