Tiger Woods. AP file photo
SYDNEY – Former winner John Senden scorched around The Lakes in a nine-under-par 63 to seize the third round lead at the Australian Open as Tiger Woods went backwards on Saturday.
Australian Senden, the 2006 winner, carded an eagle two and seven birdies to charge to the top of the leaderboard on 12-under 204, one shot ahead of compatriot Jason Day.
Former world number one Woods had a frustrating day, starting as the overnight leader but falling behind after bogeying his opening three holes and never recovering.
The 14-time major winner slumped to three-over 75 to lie six shots behind the lead on six-under 210 heading into Sunday’s final round.
Australian left-hander Greg Chalmers was in outright third spot on 10-under after a five-under 67, ahead of compatriot Nick O’Hern (69-72-66) and Nick Watney (66-73-68) on nine-under.
Senden, 40, who has five professional tournament victories to his name including the 2006 John Deere Classic in Illinois, finished in style with a curling 30-footer downhill at the last hole to cap a magnificent round.
“It was a good day, I kicked it off with that birdie at five and holed that pitching wedge from 100m for an eagle at the sixth so that put me in a good frame of mind heading to the turn,” Senden said.
“I had a good season in America and a good run of tournaments through Malaysia and Shanghai last week so I came into this tournament with some momentum.
“It’s our national Open and it’s more special being a winner back in 2006 and I feel happy and comfortable at this event and I’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Senden made only 23 putts and missed only three greens in a blistering round, the opposite of Woods’.
The American made a faltering start, bogeying his opening three holes to slip to six-under before he holed a four-footer for birdie at the fourth.
Woods, who has not won since the 2009 Australian Masters and has seen his world ranking tumble to 58, looked to have recaptured some form with Friday’s five-under 67 but he struggled with his putter into the weekend.
He angrily swung his club when he hit into the trees off the 11th tee, indicating that all was not well with his game.
Day, the runner-up at this year’s Masters and US Open, hung in behind Senden to claim second spot with a round of five birdies and a bogey at the 15th.
He hit a superb approach to the fifth hole and holed a six-foot putt for birdie, made another birdie at the eighth and then sunk a 30-foot birdie putt on the next hole, to a huge roar from the home gallery.
Day, making his first appearance in Australia for four years, took the outright lead again at the 13th with his fourth birdie before he was reeled in by Senden.
Australian Ryan Haller marched up the leaderboard to joint sixth following his flawless seven-under 65 with four birdies in his outward nine and another three in four holes coming home.