Frustrated Woods surprised to be in title hunt at Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Florida, Mar 18 (Reuters) Four-times champion Tiger Woods endured another frustrating day at the Arnold Palmer Invitational en route to a level-par 70 in the third round.

Woods, who described his game as pathetic after battling to a 73 on Friday, struggled with his putting and was surprised to end a wildly fluctuating day just five strokes off the pace.

''I thought the lead would be nine (under) or 10,'' the world number one told reporters after posting a three-under total of 207 at the Bay Hill Club.

''But hey, on this golf course, if you miss a fairway, it's almost an automatic bogey.

''I had a chance to shoot three or four under par today and I just didn't do it,'' added Woods, who needed 30 putts for the second day in a row.

''My (putting) posture was not very good but (caddie) Stevie (Williams) spotted something and the last couple of holes I hit some really good putts.

''It's frustrating but that's the way it is. I hung in there and gave myself a chance going into tomorrow.'' Playing his third event on the 2007 PGA Tour, Woods began a blustery day five strokes behind overnight leader Rocco Mediate and did well to save par at the first after finding the left rough off the tee and the right rough with his second shot.

The 31-year-old American got to four under with a birdie at the par-five sixth, after pitching to three feet, but bogeyed the ninth after lipping out for par from six feet.

Out in level-par 35, he parred every hole on the back nine to finish at three under, five behind pace-setting American Vaughn Taylor.

''The way I played yesterday, I really shouldn't be in the hunt,'' said Woods, who reeled off four consecutive wins at Bay Hill from 2000.

''But today, the way I played, I feel like I should be right next to the lead. If a couple of those putts just go in, it's a whole different ball game.

''Starting out today, I felt like I was not going to lose any ground to any of the guys,'' added the 12-times major winner. ''I shot even par and actually gained. I was surprised by that a little bit.

''The way the golf course is playing, hopefully the greens will be just as fast tomorrow. I'm only five back so, a good, solid round tomorrow, you never know.'' REUTERS SAM BST1001