Tiger sprints five strokes clear

TULSA, Oklahoma, Aug 12 (Reuters) Tiger Woods stretched his lead to five strokes in third round of the US PGA Championship.

Woods, who began the day two ahead, rolled in a 12-foot birdie putt at the 458-yard 12th while playing partner Scott Verplank double-bogeyed the same hole to drop back to two under.

The world number one was two under for the round and eight under for the tournament.

Canadian Stephen Ames, who sank a long birdie putt at the 12th, leapfrogged Verplank into second place at three under.

Alongside Verplank on two under were Australian John Senden (through 14) and American Woody Austin (14).

Holder Woods was playing bogey-free golf, having also birdied the fourth.

Verplank, who attended Oklahoma State University, found the rough off the tee at the 12th before hitting his second shot into trees.

He tried to punch his way through a small gap but hit a tree on his way to a double-bogey six.

Several early starters showed low scores were possible.

Ernie Els of South Africa posted a one-under 69 for 209, one under.

American Boo Weekley came close to matching Woods's major championship record-equalling score from Friday when he arrived at the 18th needing a birdie for a 63.

But the 34-year-old three-putted for a bogey to finish with a five-under 65 for 210.

''I thought some of the holes today were a little more accessible,'' Weekley told reporters yesterday. ''If you have your irons dialled in you can go low.'' South African Trevor Immelman had four birdies on the back nine as he carded a 66 for 211.

Nathan Green of Australia was five under for the day after eagling the par-five 13th but fell back with bogeys at 14 and 16 to post a 67 for 210.

Sergio Garcia, who lost a playoff to Irishman Padraig Harrington at last month's British Open, was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard.

The 27-year-old Spaniard recorded a par four at the 17th when he had bogeyed the hole.

REUTERS SBA RAI0521