Tiger Woods moves into Hero contention aided by "big, high, spanky 60"
Woods in contention for back-to-back tournaments after solid third round at Hero World Challenge.
Tiger Woods birdied three of the last five holes to move within two strokes of the lead heading into the final round of the Hero World Challenge.
Fresh off a flawless round of 66 on Friday, the 15-time major champion posted a third-round 67 to move to 11-under par in a tie for third and just two off the pace set by 54-hole leader Gary Woodland.
Should've known @TigerWoods was going for low round of the day when he rolled up like this. pic.twitter.com/jlGIExWzKY
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 6, 2019
Woods' best shot of the day came at the par-5 15th when playing a stunning flop shot that he described as a "big, high, spanky 60" to within a few feet to set up a birdie.
WATCH THE SHOT AND TIGER'S REACTION BELOW...
What’s harder than a flop shot? Introducing the “big, high, spanky 60.” pic.twitter.com/U7TENt3Tvw
— Skratch (@Skratch) December 6, 2019
Closing out Round 3 strong.@TigerWoods birdies three of his last five holes including the 18th to go 5-under on the day. pic.twitter.com/S2Bk1yfT3p
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 6, 2019
Woods, who is bidding to win consecutive tournaments following his victory at the ZOZO Championship in Japan last month, performed admirably from tee to green on day three as he found 12 of 13 fairways and 14 of 18 greens.
But it's US Open champion Woodland who moved to the front courtesy of a birdie at the final hole for a round of 68 and 13-under par total.
Former Open champion Henrik Stenson lies second on 12-under par, with Woods, Justin Thomas and the hottest man in golf right now Jon Rahm on 11-under par.
Patrick Reed caused the biggest controversy of the day when improving his lie not once but twice on the 11th hole, and his bogey-six was eventually changed to a triple-bogey eight after his rules violation was implemented after the round.
WATCH: PATRICK REED CAUGHT BUSTED CHEATING IN THE SAND!
As a result, Reed, who spent much of the third round out in front, fell back to 10-under par and three strokes off the pace heading into Saturday's final round.
Reed was ripped on social media by golf fans, many of whom consider his actions were blatant cheating.
The former Masters champion explained his actions after the round, and revealed there was "no intent" to improve his lie.
