By Xinhua
Tulsa (Oklahoma) : World number one Tiger Woods will have history on his side heading into the final round of the 89th PGA Championship after a solid one-under par 69 in the third round of the year’s final Major.
Woods is hoping to win his first Major of 2007 after falling short in the Augusta Masters, British Open and US Open.
He looked unbeatable Saturday as US veteran Scott Verplank became the latest playing partner to fall by the wayside.
Defending champion Woods put himself in position to capture his fourth PGA Championship and 13th career Major, sprinting away from Verplank to reach a 54-hole total of seven-under 203.
The others have their work cut out as Woods has a three-shot lead on second-place Stephen Ames of Canada and is a perfect 12-for-12 in majors when leading going into the final round.
The PGA Championship winner has come out of the final group in the last 11 years and in the six prior majors at Southern Hills Country Club, every winner was ahead or sharing the lead after 54 holes.
Ames, who shot a 69 Saturday, will be playing in the final group of a major for the first time since turning pro in 1987.
American Woody Austin is in third place after shooting a 69 to reach three-under 207. Australian John Senden is five strokes behind after shooting a 69 and Ernie Els, who also shot 69, is six shots adrift.
Verplank finished with a disappointing four-over 74 to join a pack of seven at even par 210.
Competition for the record $1.26 million winner’s share was still wide open until Friday when Woods cranked his game up another notch, shooting a 63 and coming within one shot of setting the record for the lowest score in a Major.