Tiger Woods ready to pounce

Tiger Woods tonight warned Open leader Jean Van de Velde to expect a few nightmares when his head hits the pillow.

The world number one shot a three-over-par 74 today but saw the largely unknown Frenchman return a one-under-par 70 to lead the tournament by five shots from former champion Justin Leonard and Aussie Craig Parry.

Woods is two shots further back but said: "Anyone who has got a lead like that has to sleep on it. And that is not easy to do. When I won the Masters in '97 it was not an easy night's sleep and I had a nine-shot lead.

"I'm seven shots back and there is no way if he stays where he is I can shoot a number to beat him. You have to rely on him coming back to you a little bit. But on this course you can make pars and make up shots."

Woods, however, saluted the Frenchman who has taken the tournament by storm and who today rounded off a superb par with a fabulous birdie at the 18th.

"He knows what he's doing," said Woods. "I know a lot about him. I follow the European tour and he's going to be a Ryder Cupper. He is playing wonderful golf and showing the talent he has. He has been very aggressive off the tees."

Woods, who has barely taken the driver out of his bag all week, admitted however that there was no way he could attack a course which has humiliated some of the world's top golfers.

"I just have to be more precise to give myself more birdie opportunities," he said.

"I am making a lot of putts but they are mainly for pars.

"Anybody who is 10 over par has got a good shot at it tomorrow. I have to get off to a good start and play a great round and post a number because I'll be finished when the leaders have to play 16, 17 and 18."

Woods admitted the course was playing easier today than it had done all week because some of the penal rough had been cut back a shade.

But, unlike some of his surlier American compatriots, he saluted the golfing trial which Carnoustie provides.

"It has been brutal out there," he said. "But I appreciate this golf course. It is a wonderful test. They have, however, taken a lot of the character away by making the fairways so tight. Most guys are not hitting drivers and driving is an integral part of golf. Every hole is a potential bogey."