Woods in control for another Major

Tiger Woods held a three-shot lead as he went for his 13th career major championship victory – but that advantage is even larger when you consider the mindset of those chasing him in the US PGA Championship.

Woods has always seemed to have a mental effect on the field, especially those in close pursuit, especially at a major.

Luke Donald was tied with Woods at Medinah last year entering the final round and failed to make a birdie today, while Woods shot a 68 and cruised to a five-shot victory.

At Hoylake two years ago, Sergio Garcia was in the last group with Woods and wasted no time wilting, bogeying three of his first five holes, leaving Woods to capture an emotional victory.

Woods will move within five majors of Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 with a win at Southern Hills today.

And Arron Oberholser, who was tied for sixth at even par after three rounds, said: “You’re dealing with an athlete of just incredible ability – no-one in history has had the ability Tiger has.”

That ability includes not only tremendous distance off the tee, great imagination and creativity on the course and touch on the greens, it also includes a factor which makes the field seem like all hope is lost when they see the name Woods on top of the leaderboard at a major.

Woods has won all 12 events when he has at least a share of the 54-hole lead at a major.

Victory at Southern Hills will give him four US PGA Championships – only Nicklaus and Walter Hagan have more (five) – and he will have won a major in three consecutive seasons, and five of the last 12 contested.

No wonder Ernie Els practically handed Woods the Wanamaker trophy after yesterday’s third round.

The South African said: “The statistics will tell you, yes it’s over.

“If I was not a golfer, but a fan on the couch, I’d be putting my house on him.”

That is an endorsement coming from a three-time major winner, so imagine how someone like Stephen Ames or Woody Austin felt trying to chase down Woods and win their first major.

Austin is a 43-year-old with three career victories while Ames’ claim to fame is a win at the 2006 Players Championship.

But the latter is probably better remember for the nine and eight drubbing he suffered at the hands of Woods at the Match Play 18 months ago, where he stirred up Woods’ ire with a pre-match comment.

“Anything can happen, especially where (Tiger’s) hitting the ball,” Ames said before the match.

Woods himself said ahead of today’s final round: “I’m just going to go out there and play, hopefully I can execute to where I know I can and do what I’ve done so far this week. I know what I have to do.”