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Stricker and Baddeley forge ahead of Woods

09/09/2007

Steve Striker and Aaron Baddeley both claimed birdies at the 18th hole at Cog Hill to move one shot ahead of Tiger Woods at the BMW Championship.

Striker carded a round of 64 to move to 15-under for the tournament while Baddeley hit a round of 65 to join him heading into the final round.

Woods also carded a round of 65 after picking up six birdies and one bogey. The world number one has won three times on the course before and feels he is in form ahead of the final round.

He said: "If I'd made a few putts, it really could have been a deep round. I was really hitting it pretty good but I left a few putts right on the edge."

England's Justin Rose is a further four shots off the pace on ten-under. He made two bogeys on the front nine but recovered with four birdies on the back nine to remain in contention.

Stricker won the first leg of the FedExCup series two weeks ago at the Barclays Classic and is second on the four-tournament playoff leaderboard.

The American hit a flawless third round which included five birdies and an eagle at the eighth hole. However he is sure Woods will provide stiff opposition in the final round.

Stricker said: "I'm sure he'll be the guy to beat tomorrow, even though he's one behind. We all know of his firepower and what he's capable of doing."

FedExCup leader Phil Mickelson is sitting out this week ahead of the final tournament of the series, the Tour Championship in Atlanta next week.