Tiger Woods takes narrow lead at Dunlop Phoenix

Defending champion Tiger Woods pulled ahead of second-round leader Jim Furyk with three birdies over the back nine to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the $1.7-million Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament on Saturday.

Woods, playing in a threesome with fellow Americans Furyk and David Duval, fired a two-under-par 68 for a three-round total of 200 over the par-70 Phoenix Country Club course.

"I played well today and hit the ball pretty good and putted well," Woods said. "The course was playing very difficult today; for the first time the greens were up to speed and it was tough to make birdies out there. We knew we had to play conservatively, so two under par was a good score out there."

Overnight leader Furyk stretched his lead to two strokes with a birdie on the first hole but struggled for consistency after that over the tree-lined course.

Additional birdies at the ninth and 18th holes were offset by three bogeys and he ended up even par on the day for a 201 total.

"It was an interesting day," Furyk said. "Early on the wind made the course difficult, although it laid down later in the day and the course was more receptive.

"I was happy with the way I played when the conditions were tough but I would have been happier if I'd played better on the back side when the conditions were better."

Duval, the 2001 Dunlop Phoenix champion who was tied with Woods for second at the beginning of the round, had two great recoveries on five and 16 to get a one-over 71 for a 203 total to keep himself in contention.

Kaname Yokoo of Japan matched Woods's 68 with some stirling approach play to move level with Duval on 203.

Another Japanese player, Nozomi Kawahara, stormed out to a 29 on the front nine and ended up with the day's best score of 66 to finish at two under par.

U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell managed an even-par 70 for a 208 total, but European money leader Colin Montgomerie had a round to forget, ballooning to a 77 for a score of 217.

Woods, who had a 10-shot lead going into last year's final round, knows he will not have it so easy on Sunday with Furyk breathing down his neck.

"He loves to compete," Woods said of his friend. "I really enjoyed playing with him in the Presidents Cup. Our personalities are very similar out there when we compete and that's one of the things that makes him difficult to beat. We're both pretty fiery and he just loves being out there trying to win."

Woods said he was enjoying playing the Phoenix course.

"I feel pretty good. I'm comfortable on the golf course and comfortable with the way I'm playing. I just need to go out there and execute my golf shots and hit in the 60s again."

Furyk said he was expecting a tough battle with the world number one.

"Knowing Tiger, you always know you have your hands full," he said. "He's the best player in the game and you know you have to play very well and fire a good round.

"I'm know what I'm in for tomorrow. Obviously you never want to give Tiger a head start, but that's where I sit and I will just have to go out and play a good round."

Woods and Furyk will play alongside Yokoo in the final grouping on Sunday. The winner on Sunday will take home $350,000.

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