Woods takes six-stroke lead at Thai tournament
By ROBERT HORN / Associated Press
BANGNA, Thailand - Tiger Woods made five birdies on the front
nine and shot a 66 Saturday, taking a six-stroke lead going into
the final round of the Asian Honda Classic.
Playing in 95-degree heat and high humidity, Woods had a 16-under-par
200 after three rounds on the par-72, 7,016-yard course at the
Thai Country Club. He bogeyed the final hole after driving into
the rough and hitting a weak approach shot and chip that both
fell short.
"I'm playing well because I'm thinking well out there,"
Woods said. "I haven't made any major mental mistakes."
Greg Hanrahan shot a 70 Saturday and was second. Zaw Moe, Frank
Nobilo and Chang Tse-peng were all eight strokes back at 208.
Woods, whose mother, Kultida, was born in Thailand, is playing
in the nation for the first time since turning pro.
"I still have to be focused, and I still have to make
the shots," he said. "I'll have to play smart."
Woods briefly lost his touch of his short game on holes 10-13,
driving well but misreading several greens and putting poorly.
"The greens were rolled last night, and so they were breaking
more than usual," Woods said.
About a thousand of Woods' fans followed him around the course,
cheering his every shot and applauding as he arrived on the tees
and greens.
"The fans here are generally better behaved than in the
United States," Wood said.
Should he win, Woods said it was likely he would return to
play in Thailand next year. Woods was to receive a royal decoration
from Thailand's Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Saturday
evening.
"It's an honor," Woods said..
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