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Tiger closes in on victory in Tulsa

12/08/2007

Tiger Woods took another step towards claiming victory at the US PGA Championship with a solid third round of one-under, leaving him three shots clear of the field.

The American failed to light up the Southern Hills course as he had done the previous day but his round of 69 was enough to consolidate his place at the top of the leaderboard.

Woods made a birdie at the fourth hole, sinking an eight-foot putt, and made another at the 12th from 25 feet to briefly reach eight-under for the championship.

But a bogey at the par-three 14th hole put him back to seven-under. Despite his unspectacular round it was still enough for Woods to increase his two-shot lead from overnight.

His nearest challengers at the halfway stage, Scott Verplank and Geoff Ogilvy, both dropped down the leaderboard, carding rounds of four-over-par. Verplank is now on evens for the tournament while Ogilvy is on one-over.

Canadian Stephen Ames is currently in second place on four-under after carding his second successive round of 69.

The 43-year-old has scored steadily in Tulsa and has put himself in contention for his first Major win should Woods slip up in the final round.

Ernie Els continued his return to form and moved up to fifth place after his round of 69 put him on one-under for the championship, although he is still six shots behind Woods.

American Woody Austin and Australian John Senden are third and fourth respectively, and will achieve their best finish in a Major event if they can retain those positions.

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