OAKMONT (USA): Aaron Baddeley grabbed a two-strokes lead in the third round of the U.S. Open golf championship on Saturday, but he must defy Tiger Woods if he wants to record a second straight win for an Australian.

The two will comprise the final pairing when the World No.1 goes for his third U.S. Open win and the 13th major of his career.

He will start as hot favourite, but the 26-year-old Baddeley has the hard and fast facts on his side.

Woods has a 12 out 12 conversion rate when leading a major going into the final day. He is none for 28 when behind.

Four players are on five over, three strokes behind Baddeley and one back off Woods. They are English pair Justin Rose and Paul Casey, Canada's Stephen Ames and Bubba Watson of the U.S.

Baddeley said the prospect of going head to head with Woods for the title was enticing. ``It's perfect... it's exciting. He is the best player in the World and he is great to play with. I've played with Tiger in the Masters and it is not unusual to play with him in a major.''

A struggle

Baddeley, who was born in the U.S. and holds dual citizenship, struggled going out on the front nine in the third round but a battling display saw him come home in 33 for a 70 with a thrilling birdie at the last.

Woods, who carded his first sub-par round of 69, was left pondering what might have been after a scintillating display of ball-striking from tee to green was squandered by his putting. Had the stick been hot, there is little doubt he would have been out on his own.

Woods played a conservative, waiting game over the first two rounds (71 and 74) reaching the half-way stage tied for sixth, five strokes behind leader Angel Cabrera.

But it was soon evident that he was in a more attacking mode on Saturday taking his cue from two birdies on the third and fourth holes.

What followed was as inspiring to watch as it was frustrating to experience for the World No.1.

He hit an amazing 17 greens out of 17 in regulation and this on an Oakmont layout deemed to be one of the toughest in the World and on the verge of being unfair on the players.

Also still well in the hunt is 2003 champion Jim Furyk, who struggled before posting back-to-back birdies at the last two holes for a 70 to stand four strokes off the pace, level with Steve Stricker and overnight leader Cabrera.

Jeev tied 35th

With the greens relenting a bit, Jeev Milkha Singh rode a solid back nine to card three-over 73 and jump to tied 35th place.

The Indian, in fact, is within half-a-roll of a final hole par that would have seen him another five places up on the leaderboard.

Jeev's three-day total at the Oakmont Golf and Country Club stands at 13-over 223 and he is ahead of the likes of defending champion Geoff Ogilvy (40th at 14-over), Masters champion Zach Johnson (50th at 16-over) and also Major winners, Michael Campbell (45th at 13-over) and Jose Maria Olazabal (50th at 16 over).

Jeev is joined in the 35th place by Els (74) and Fred Funk (74). In the final round, Jeev plays with John Rollins (74).

Jeev bogeyed the third, fifth, seventh, eighth, 16th and 18th holes, but birdies on the 10th, 12th and 17th holes saw him strike back in the second stretch. — Agencies

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