THOUSAND OAKS, California (AP) ― Zach Johnson needed something special to track down Tiger Woods in the Chevron World Challenge. Holing a 7-iron from the 18th fairway for eagle did the trick Saturday.
Johnson’s shot from 163 yards landed near the cup and spun into the hole, giving him a 4-under 68 and a one-shot lead over Woods going into the final round at Sherwood Country Club.
It was the second eagle on the back nine for Johnson, who also chipped in on the par-5 11th.
Zach Johnson hits an eagle shot on the 18th hole on Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)
Woods had the 36-hole lead for the second straight tournament, and for the second straight time failed to break par in the third round. He had three bogeys on the par 5s and had to settle for a 73, though he had few complaints.
The wind was strong and chilly from the start, and rarely stayed the same direction very long. With a wedge in his hand, Woods went some 40 feet long on the second hole that led to a three-putt bogey. Another wedge on the par-5 13th sailed over the green and left a pitch he had no chance to get close.
Both players ran into trouble on the par-5 16th.
Johnson was playing in the group ahead of Woods, felt the breeze in his face and tried to hammer a driver that went left of the grass and into the gallery. He tried to clear a creek and went into the trees to the right before pitching out and taking a bogey.