Woods extends Open advantage

Tiger Woods was today on target for his 11th major title in the British Open Championship at Hoylake.

One shot clear of playing partner Sergio Garcia, Ernie Els and Chris DiMarco overnight, Woods had extended his lead to two midway through the final round.

The world number one opened with four pars before rolling in a 20-foot eagle putt on the fifth. Two long-iron shots all he needed to reach the green on the 528-yard par five.

Four more pars took him to the turn in 34 and at 15 under par, two shots ahead of fellow American DiMarco.

DiMarco got off to a poor start with a bogey on the first but birdied the sixth and 10th to move into second place.

Defending champion Woods was also getting some assistance from his nearest rivals, Garcia in particular ruining his chances with a front nine of 39, 10 shots more than his stunning 29 yesterday.

The 26-year-old holed from six feet to save par on the first but then three-putted the next two greens and bogeyed the eighth and ninth as Europe’s hopes of a first major winner since Paul Lawrie in 1999 faded once more.

Els had drawn level with Woods when he birdied the fifth from six feet, but the South African bogeyed the eighth after finding a greenside bunker with his approach.

Londoner Anthony Wall is currently the leader in the clubhouse on eight under par after a closing round of 69.