AKRON, Ohio – With an elite field chasing the lead, Tiger Woods played keep-away.

Already up by a staggering seven shots through 36 holes thanks to a career-tying best of 61 in the second round, Woods shot a solid 2-under 68 on Saturday in the Bridgestone Invitational to maintain that same seven-stroke lead.

It was as if he was turning around and daring the world’s best players to come after him. No one really could.

“You know, today was a day that I didn’t quite have it,” said Woods, who was at 15-under 195. “I grinded my way around that golf course.”

Now he’s only 18 holes away from making even more history in a career of historic accomplishments. He’ll be competing against the record book as much as the elite field.

“It’s kind of tough to pick up seven or eight shots on Tiger around here,” said Henrik Stenson, a distant second after a 67.

“It would take something spectacular on my behalf or any of the other guys around me, and obviously a very, very poor round for him.”

Woods, by the way, is 41-2 when leading after 54 holes in a PGA Tour event.

A victory would be his eighth at Firestone Country Club and in the Bridgestone and its forerunner, the NEC Invitational. That would match the tour-record eight he already has at Bay Hill and the eight wins Sam Snead had at the Greater Greensboro Open.

Woods also could capture his 79th victory on the PGA Tour, drawing him within three of Snead’s record of 82.

PGA: Gary Woodland holed from a bunker and the greenside rough and hit a fairway shot within 2 inches for another of his seven birdies to take the third-round lead at Reno, Nev., in the Reno-Tahoe Open with 37 points in the modified Stableford scoring system.

Brandon Steele vaulted into second place with 30 points.

LPGA: Inbee Park was hopeful of tough conditions to help her make up an eight-shot deficit in the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews, Scotland.

But it turned out to be too tough.

Park’s ball moved on the fourth green from 40 mph gusts at St. Andrews, and the third round was suspended a short time later.

Officials waited nearly six hours before deciding not to resume the third round until 6:15 a.m. Sunday. The hope would be to get 72 holes in by Sunday evening.

CHAMPIONS TOUR: Tom Pernice Jr. moved into position for his second Champions title, shooting a 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Tom Kite in the 3M Championship at Blaine, Minn.

Pernice had a 13-under 131 total at TPC Twin Cities after opening with a 66.

 

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