Tiger Woods continued to dominate at Torrey Pines, California, building a six-shot lead yesterday in the final round of the US PGA event before bad light stopped play.
Woods, who earlier shot a three-under 69 in the fog-delayed third round to open a four-shot lead through 54 holes, was three-underthrough seven holes in round four before play was halted for darkness.
It moved him to 17-under for the tournament, six ahead of defending champion Brandt Snedeker (13 holes) and 2009 event winner Nick Watney (eight holes).
"I played well today. Overall I'm pleased I was able to build on my lead," Woods said. "A six-shot lead - that's a positive. I've got to continue with executing my game plan.
"That's the idea. I've got 11 holes to play, and I've got to go out there and play them well."
After two scrambling pars early, the 14-time major winner birdied the third and, just when it looked as if he might stumble on the fourth following a wild tee shot, the 37-year-old produced some of his old magic.
Stuck behind a tree, Woods carved out a curving long approach shot to just short of the green and then duly chipped in from 12m for a second-straight birdie and a five-shot buffer.
He increased the lead to six with a regulation two-putt birdie on the par-5 sixth to put him in the box seat for a 75th US Tour win. Only Sam Snead, with 82, has more victories.
Woods has won 49 of the 53 times when he has held at least a share of the third-round lead and failed to convert just once in the past eight years.
Aaron Baddeley was the pick of the Australians at five-under-par in 25th place through eight holes and the Victorian has an 8m eagle putt when play resumes.
Baddeley, whose 68 was the best third-round score, is trying to make a run up the leaderboard to boost his world ranking points and a possible return to the World Golf Championship Match Play event next month.
Sitting at 86th in the world, Badde-ley needs some good results to get into the top 64.
"It was a good third round this morning and, although I made a few soft bogeys this afternoon, I'm really pleased with how I played today," he said.
