Three
birdies on the front nine helped New Zealander Michael Campbell to a three-shot
lead after the third round of the Johnnie Walker Classic on Saturday.
Campbell, who had shared the lead overnight with Ernie Els, birdied the third,
sixth and ninth for a three-under-par 69 and a 54-hole total of 206.
Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who shot 68, was Campbell's nearest challenger but the
New Zealander's biggest concern was having world number one Tiger Woods still
within striking distance.
"I
would love to be 10 shots in front of Tiger (Woods) but I am only four," said
Campbell. "I got off to a good start but had a bit of a struggle towards the end."
Woods, the defending champion,
fired a 70 for a share of third place with Els (73) and Argentina's Angel Cabrera
(69).
He made two crucial
par-saving putts on 16 and 18 from 15 and 10 feet respectively.
Woods hooked his three iron tee shot up against a tree at the 16th but engineered
an eight iron from about 188 yards which ran through the green. He chipped back
and holed a long putt.
"I
thought I might break the shaft when I played from under the tree," said Woods.
"But I went ahead anyway and let go of the club just after impact.
"It went back into the gallery but luckily
did not hit anyone."
