Tiger struggles again during third round

A defiant Tiger Woods refused to concede his chances of winning the U.S. PGA Championship or give into talk of a slump despite struggling to a dismal three-over par 73 third round on Saturday.

It was the third consecutive round Woods has failed to break par on the challenging Oak Hill layout, leaving him nine-over, 12 back of second round leader Shaun Micheel.

Woods is on course for his worst finish at a major since turning professional -- a tie for 29th at the 1997 and 2001 PGA championships.

But after yet another disappointing round, Woods was in no mood to surrender his chances of joining Walter Hagen as the only players to win a least one major in five successive years.

"Over par just might win this tournament still...you never know," said Woods. "You can shoot a great round.

"If I can get it going you never know. It's going to take one of those great rounds of golf.

"I've shot low rounds before."

Barring a miraculous recovery on Sunday, Woods's erratic play at the season's final major is almost certain to spark renewed talk of a "Tiger slump".

While Woods, PGA winner in 1999 and 2000, can count four tournament wins in 13 starts this season, he has gone without a major since last year's U.S. Open, a winless streak that looks to be heading for six on Sunday.

The 27 year-old American bristles at any suggestion of a slump but his play and demeanour would indicate problems.

Through three rounds at Oak Hill he has produced just four birdies and has been horrifying off the tee hitting just 18 of 42 fairways.

Woods's inability to stay clear of Oak Hill's diabolical rough has resulted in vein-popping frustration that has been manifested in a steady stream of scowls, cursing and throwing and slamming clubs.

"It's tough," admitted Woods. "I tell you that it wears on your patience and I've been as patient as possible.

"I have really grinded. I have fought every, every inch of the way.

"If I would have bagged it, I could have shot a million but that's not the way I play."

Woods flashed his famous smile as he was introduced at the opening hole but it was quickly replaced by what has become his trademark scowl this week as he watched his tee shot sail into the right rough.

The error marked the start of a long, difficult round for Woods, who did not find a fairway until the ninth hole.

By then the damage had been done with bogeys on the first, second, seventh and ninth.

Birdies on 14 and 15 marked the highlight of the round for Woods, who threw his hands in the air in triumph and took a bow after watching his ball drop on the 323-yard, par-four 14th.

But Woods would finish the round just as he did on Thursday and Friday - with a bogey.

"I've done it before (gone a season without a major)," said Woods. "I did it in 98.

"It won't be the last time and it certainly has not been the first time."

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