Freakish Woods set for US Open knees-up

IT WAS the third round of the US Open, Tiger Woods was five strokes behind with six holes to play — and it turned out he had them right where he wanted them.

He proceeded to embark on one of the most astonishing runs to the finish line he has made in an already astonishing career. On a course that is devilishly tough — and a day that included a nine from world No.2 Phil Mickelson — Woods played the final six holes in four under par to take a one-shot lead into today's final round.

Despite a reconstructed knee that was clearly causing him pain, he recorded two eagles, an accidental chip-in birdie and a bogey. In doing so, he snatched the lead away from England's Lee Westwood, who had taken it from Rocco Mediate.

With a dramatic 10-metre eagle putt at the 18th, Woods finished a round of 70 for a 54-hole total of three-under-par 210 — one in front of Westwood.

At times wincing as pain shot through his left knee, at times smiling in disbelief as another of his shots disappeared in the hole, Woods positioned himself to win his 14th major championship.

He has never lost a major championship in which he held the lead after three rounds. "Just another boring round of golf, huh," Woods joked.

Mediate was more serious. "It's just the most amazing display of athletic, mental power that there is, there ever was." he said. "He's the best that ever walked on grass that played golf."

Overnight leader Stuart Appleby went away in a hurry, bogeying the first, fourth and fifth holes before a double bogey at the sixth.

Geoff Ogilvy, who won the Open in 2006, is the highest place Australian at one over par, with Robert Allenby a further shot behind.

NEW YORK TIMES