Cink increases lead to five shots

Stewart Cink moved onto the verge of his fourth career title after shooting a two-under-par 68 for a five-shot lead after the third round of the $7 million WGC-NEC Invitational on Saturday.

Cink, shooting his second consecutive 68, made a 50 foot chip shot on the final hole for a three-round total of 199 to stay well clear of Tiger Woods, Chris DiMarco and David Toms, who are tied on six under par.

Scott Verplank, Australian Rod Pampling and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini are tied for fifth place a further shot behind.

Britain's Luke Donald, hoping for a European Ryder Cup berth, carded a five-under-par 65 to move to four under with Jerry Kelly, Angel Cabrera of Argentina and Charles Howell III.

Cink had completed his rain-delayed second round earlier in the day and was three shots clear of Woods and Sabbatini heading into the third at the Firestone Country Club.

Woods looks certain to keep his world number one ranking with main rivals Vijay Singh of Fiji and South African Ernie Els way off the pace on three over and 11 over respectively.

The 31-year-old Cink continued to show his dominance over the field using the weapon he has used most effectively this year -- his putter.

The number one ranked putter on the PGA Tour has not three putted this week and in the third round he needed only 25 putts to move further clear from the field.

"I've been trying to stay with my basic routine on my putts, and that's just keeping it simple and not really worrying about the results too much," Cink said.

"I know that I'm going to miss putts. It happens. Everybody does it.

"The difference between now as opposed to in years past is I'm totally prepared to accept any missed putts or mistakes I'm going to make out there, so it's really helping me stay relaxed."

Cink started the day on the 11th green of his second round due to the poor weather which suspended play on both Thursday and Friday.

When he returned on Saturday morning he was looking at a 25 foot putt for birdie on the 11th hole, and his successful conversion would be one of five birdies he would make against only two bogeys.

However, the most dramatic shot for Cink was the 50 foot chip on the 18th hole that extended a lead that was only two shots when he stood on the 17th tee.

"It was exciting, and it's nice to finish off with a birdie, but there's still a lot in front of me," Cink said.

"I've been around the Tour eight years now and I've played a lot out here, and I know that anything can happen in 18 holes. I'm definitely not counting my chickens yet."

Woods is within striking distance, but at five shots back will need to play like the Tiger of old and possibly need Cink to falter a little.

The world number one believes it is possible to win if he plays like he did over the final seven holes of his second round, which he completed in the morning with three birdies and no bogies.

"That's all I have to do," Woods said. "I know it's in there, it's just a matter of bringing it out just like I did this morning, just hit the same shots and make puts."

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