Tiger Woods was in fine form early Sunday at St. Andrews. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tiger two shots up heading to final nine at Old Course

Tiger Woods has been steady if not spectacular Sunday as he drives to a second Open Championship title at St. Andrews. Turning in 2-under 34 on a blustery day, Woods held a two-shot lead over Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, who was 3-under on his round in front of his hard-cheering countrymen. Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal was three back on 11-under.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- Tiger Woods guarded a two-stroke lead heading to the back nine in the final round of the British Open, trying to hold on for the 10th major title of his career Sunday.

Local favorite Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal moved within a stroke early in the day, but Woods restored the margin he had at the beginning with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 fifth. He added another at the par-4 ninth, but Montgomerie also birdied the hole to stay within two shots of the lead.

Montgomerie, cheered on by flag-waving Scots, sent the huge gallery into a frenzy with a 20-foot birdie at No. 3, then tapped in for another two holes later.

Olazabal, a two-time Masters champion playing in the final group with Woods, was the closest challenger coming to the final round, with Montgomerie and Retief Goosen three strokes back.

While Olazabal moved up with a 35-foot birdie at the fourth, Goosen was in the midst of another final-round collapse in a major.

The South African took a three-shot lead to the final round of the U.S. Open, only to shoot 81. This time, he bogeyed the first two holes and took another bogey at the fifth, tumbling off the leaderboard.

Woods managed a third-round 71 -- despite hitting two balls into gorse bushes at the Old Course -- and was 12-under 204 through 54 holes.

Woods already won the first major of the year, the Masters in April, and was runner-up to Michael Campbell at Pinehurst three weeks ago.

The world's No. 1 player won his lone British title in 2000 at St. Andrews, romping to an eight-stroke victory with a 19-under score that was the lowest in relation to par in major championship history.

Jack Nicklaus, who played his final competitive round Friday during a teary farewell at the Old Course, holds the career record with 18 major titles.

Woods was tied with Gary Player and Ben Hogan at nine major victories apiece. If Woods held on at St. Andrews -- and he was 9-for-9 with a 54-hole lead -- he would move up to trail only Nicklaus and Walter Hagen (11).

Graeme McDowell put up the lowest score among the early starters, a 5-under 67. Nick Faldo sent the fans into a frenzy by holing an eagle putt from off the green at the 18th, finishing with a 69.

The group at 8 under included Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and Bernhard Langer. The German veteran took advantage of his late entry into the tournament, getting in Monday as an alternate.

Phil Mickelson, who seemed likely to challenge on the weekend, closed with a 76 that left him at 1-over 289.

News Index