Woods holds off Furyk to storm six ahead

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

THOUSAND OAKS, California (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, hunting his eighth victory of the year, overcame two early bogeys and a few swing problems to stretch his lead to six shots in the Target World Challenge third round on Saturday.

Four ahead of the pack overnight, the world number one fired a five-under-par 67 at Sherwood Country Club for an 18-under total of 198.

Although not matching his blistering form of Friday when he set a course-record 62, he carded seven birdies in pursuit of his fourth title in the elite 16-man tournament he hosts.

Playing partner Jim Furyk, three off the pace for much of the day, slipped back with a double-bogey at the par-three 15th on his way to a 69 and second place.

Masters champion Zach Johnson also carded a 69 to lie third at 11 under, one ahead of Swede Henrik Stenson who fired a best-of-the-day 65.

"I didn't hit the golf ball as well as I did yesterday but I made some nice putts and up-and-downs," Woods told reporters after signing off with an eight-foot birdie putt at the last.

"Overall, it was a nice day to kind of get through it and actually increase the lead. Rounds like yesterday are so much easier on you. Today I had to focus, had to make sure I missed it in the correct spots."

Fast-starting Woods, playing his first tournament since the Presidents Cup in September, birdied the first two holes on a second successive day of calm weather.