Retief Goosen of South Africa and American Stewart Cink shared the lead after the third round of the US Open in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but Tiger Woods saw his chances for a fifth straight major title fade at Southern Hills yesterday.
Overnight co-leader Goosen shot a steady one-under 69, and Cink overcame a bogey/double-bogey start to post an impressive 67 and share the 54-hole lead on five-under-par 205, with three other players just one shot back.
Pressing the co-leaders were 21-year-old Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Mark Brooks and Rocco Mediate on 206. World number two Phil Mickelson was another shot away at three-under.
Defending champion Woods, who won last year's Open at Pebble Beach by a record 15 strokes, was tied for 23rd, nine strokes off the pace after a third-round 69 put him at four-over-par 214 for the tournament.
Woods began the round tied for 43rd at five-over, but the 25-year-old American left himself a difficult climb considering the challenging layout, the level of opposition and the distance from the lead.
"I made some beautiful putts that didn't go in," said Woods, who failed to take advantage of numerous birdie chances. "I think if I go out tomorrow and play like I did today but make a few more putts I'll have a chance.
"I'm not that far back, I'm only nine behind. That's not that big in the US Open."
The record final-round comeback for a US Open champion is seven strokes - by Arnold Palmer at the 1960 tournament.