Woods in prime position despite losing ground

CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Tiger Woods surprisingly gave up ground at the U.S. PGA Championship on Saturday but remains in an enviable position in pursuit of his 15th major title.

The American world number one ended the third round two strokes clear of the chasing pack after playing conservative golf for most of the day at a windy Hazeltine National.

A one-under-par 71 gave him an eight-under total of 208 and he will tee off in Sunday's final round with a perfect record of 14 major wins out of 14 when holding the lead after 54 holes.

"You have to enjoy being in that position, and to be in that position you're not playing poorly," Woods told reporters after mixing two birdies with a lone bogey at the par-three fourth.

"I've played well to get myself in those positions and (I'm) fortunate to have won most of those events. It is a rush and especially when there's a major championship involved.

"It's fun to go out there and test what you have. Other guys are throwing it at you and hopefully I can throw it back at them. It's fun."

Woods began the third round with a four-shot cushion but was caught by Ireland's Padraig Harrington at seven-under before regaining the lead at the par-four 14th.

After driving through the green on the 313-yard hole, he chipped back across the putting surface before knocking the ball into the cup from 15 feet just off the green.

PLAYING CONSERVATIVELY

"I played conservatively and was pretty consistent all day," Woods said. "The only mistake I made was three-putting there at four. But other than that, my card was pretty clean.

"I didn't give myself a lot of looks at putts, though, and I was lag-putting a lot. Given the conditions and my position in the tournament, I didn't mind it."

Woods is seeking to emulate Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen by clinching a record-equalling fifth PGA Championship title but he was reluctant to look too far ahead.

"I have a long way to go before that happens," the 33-year-old said. "Hopefully I can play a good enough round tomorrow and get into that position."

With thunderstorms forecast for Saturday night and Sunday morning at Hazeltine, Woods had one eye warily fixed on the weather.

"It's supposed to be bad tomorrow and hopefully we can get it (the final round) in," he said. "If it (the course) becomes softer, obviously the fairways get bigger but you can get a little more aggressive going into some of these flags.

"But boy, these greens got a little bit interesting this afternoon. (On) that back nine, you had to be very cautious on your putts and not run them by. If we get some more rain tomorrow, it will be even worse."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)