Tanaka pulls one clear of chasing group

Little-known Japanese Hidemichi Tanaka put some of golf's biggest names behind him, shooting a 2-under 70 Saturday for a one-stroke lead after three rounds in the American Express Championship.

The 29-year-old Tanaka, who's won twice on the Japan Tour this season and is No. 3 on its money list, was 9-under overall at 207 and one shot ahead of Canadian Mike Weir (65) and American Mark Calcavecchia (69).

Tiger Woods (69) and Nick Price (74), the leader for the first two rounds, were two strokes off the pace in the chase for the $1 million winner's share in this season-ending tournament.

Woods, who had landed his ball in the pond guarding the green at the par-5 17th in three straight rounds at Valderrama, reached the putting surface in two Saturday and managed a birdie. After the fairway shot, he took a deep bow and swept his right hand under his waist with his cap in hand, breaking into a huge smile.

``I was able to grind myself around the golf course and get myself in position to win the tournament,'' Woods said.

``I hit three good shots in a row (at 17). The balls got over the water. They just didn't stay there.''

Tanaka was not to be outdone. He hit his third shot over the pond to a foot, then duplicated Woods' cap-in-hand bow. Cracking into a smile, he walked down the fairway tugging on his shirt to imitate a thumping heart.

``That's to tell everybody I'm so nervous and scared,'' said the 5-foot-5, 135-pound Tanaka, who had joked after Friday's second round that his big goal was to get Woods' autograph.

``Amazing. I'm surprised to be in this position. I hope I can play good so everybody knows my name.''

Tanaka considers himself part golfer and part entertainer. He, grew up admiring Tom Watson and picked up a few tips from compatriot Shigeki Maruyama, who plays on the U.S. tour.

``When I arrived here Sunday I lost five pieces of my luggage -- I didn't like Spain,'' Tanaka said. ``But today, I love Spain.''

Duffy Waldorf (72) and Padraig Harrington (73) were four strokes off the lead at 211, with England's Lee Westwood (68) heading a group of four, five strokes behind.

Westwood took a large step toward ending Colin Montgomerie's long reign as Europe's top player.

Montgomerie stumbled and is virtually out of it after shooting 73, leaving him 1-under at 215. He needs to win to have any chance of claiming his eighth straight European money title.

Darren Clarke, who tops the money list and leads Westwood by $86,000, shot a 74 and is 2-over for the three rounds.

If either Westwood or Clarke wins the first prize, he'll top the money list. Since that seems unlikely, the scenario is as follows: Westwood must finish in at least the top eight Sunday. Any finish lower won't earn him enough money to overtake Clarke, no matter what Clarke does.

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