Search:



The Web

Rediff










 Latest Sports news on mobile: sms SPRT to 7333

Home > Sports > News > Reuters > Report

Woods closes in on victory

November 21, 2004 15:46 IST

Tiger Woods fired a five-under-par 65 to move 10 shots clear after the third round of the Dunlop Phoenix tournament on Saturday, putting himself in prime position for ha first victory in Japan.

Woods, who lost his world number one ranking to Fiji's Vijay Singh in September, also moved closer to his first strokeplay title of the year with a brilliant bogey-free round.

"It's been coming," said the American after reaching the clubhouse on a 13-under-par total of 197. "I've had three second places in my last four finishes. But this is huge."

Woods won the last of his eight majors at the 2002 U.S. Open but has been threatening a return to his top form all week at the $1.9 million event in Miyazaki.

"This is one of the biggest tournaments to win in Japan and right now I'm in a great position to get it done tomorrow," added the 28-year-old American, who has failed to win in three previous visits to Japan.

"Things are starting to come together."

Woods, whose sole win this season came at the WGC-Match Play Championship in February, began the day with a three-stroke advantage over 2002 champion Kaname Yokoo and birdied two of the first three holes at the Phoenix Country Club.

He made back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14 and another on the 18th to extend his lead to a massive 10 shots over Sweden's Daniel Chopra and the Japanese pair Ryoken Kawagishi and Naomichi Ozaki.


Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article



Related Stories


Woods in upbeat mood for next yr

Vijay Singh fact file

Goosen wins Tour Championship








© Copyright 2004 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.










Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.