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Baddeley takes two-shot lead over Woods

Aaron Baddeley grabbed a two-stroke lead over Tiger Woods in the third round of the US Open on Saturday.

The two were scheduled to comprise the tournament's final pairing yesterday.

Woods has a 12 out 12 conversion rate when leading a major going into the final day. He is 0 for 28 when behind.

Four players are on five over, three strokes behind Baddeley and one back off Woods. They are English pair Justin Rose and Paul Casey, Canada's Stephen Ames and Bubba Watson of the US.

Baddeley said the prospect of going head-to-head with Woods for the title was enticing.

"It's perfect, it's exciting," Baddeley said. "He is the best player in the world and he is great to play with."

"I've played with Tiger in the Masters and it is not unusual to play with him in a major," he said.

The Australian insisted he would not be unhinged by the clatter and clamor that accompanies Woods around the golf course.

"I think the galleries are so big that you can't see anyone move," he said. "It's harder when there's four or five guys there because when one guy sort of moves his left arm, you can see it."

Baddeley, who was born in the US and holds dual citizenship, struggled going out on the front nine in the third round but a battling display saw him come home in 33 for a 70 with a thrilling birdie on the last hole.

Woods, who carded his first sub-par round of 69, was left pondering what might have been after a scintillating display of ball-striking from tee to green was squandered by his putting.

"I would have been miffed at myself if I had hit bad ones, but I hit good ones," he said of his efforts on the greens. "There were only two or three I really should have made."

"But I was in control of my game today and I am right there with a shot at it," he said. "Now I have to go do some work on the range, get tuned up for tomorrow and be ready."

Woods played a conservative, waiting game over the first two rounds (71 and 74) to reach the halfway stage tied for sixth.

But it was soon evident that he was in a more attacking mode on Saturday as he made two birdies on the third and fourth holes.

What followed was as inspiring to watch as it was frustrating to experience for the world No. 1.

He hit an amazing 17 greens out of 17 in regulation -- and this on an Oakmont layout deemed to be one of the toughest in the world and on the verge of being unfair on the players.

But putt after putt either slid agonizingly past or came up short of the hole.

He reached the tough 18th as the only player without a bogey on his card but, but found a fairway bunker with his drive. From there he could only blast out well short off the green.

He pitched to 5m, but once again left his putt just short.

"Seventeen holes and I have to end with a dropped shot," he said. "I could not quite get it done on the last hole."

Also still well in the hunt was 2003 champion Jim Furyk, who struggled before posting back-to-back birdies at the last two holes for a 70 to stand four strokes off the pace, level with Steve Stricker and Angel Cabrera.

Fiji's Vijay Singh was on the fringes at eight-over after a 70, but Ernie Els blew his chances with a 74, which left him out of the hunt.
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