Bohn shares lead, Woods seven behind

WHITE SULPHUR SPRING: American Jason Bohn fired a nine-under 61 for the co-lead on Saturday after the third round of the Greenbrier Classic, while Tiger Woods is trying to hang in with a crowded leaderboard.

Woods, who is coming off a dismal performance at the US Open last month, shot one-over 71 as he played the back nine in plus-two at the $6.7 million PGA Tour event. He is tied for 47th at four-under 206, seven strokes adrift of the leaders going into final round.

The 42-year-old Bohn was at 11-under 199 after 54 holes with three others — Bryce Molder (67), Park Sung-Joon and Sean O’Hair, who both shot 66. Bohn is trying to win his third career US PGA Tour title. He closed his round with four birdies on the final five holes. He rolled in five birdies on the front nine and added another on the par-four 10th.

The only blemish in his round was a bogey on the 11th. “I didn’t have much break in any of my putts and that really helped me,” Bohn said. “I struck my ball pretty solid and kept my ball in play. The scores are going to be pretty decent out there,” he added.

There are 27 players within four strokes of the lead. South Korean Park — who is the only golfer among the four leaders who has not won on the US Tour — has bagged international wins, including a victory on the Japan Tour in 2013. Park’s bogey-free round at The Old White course included four birdies.

Justin Thomas shot a four-under 66 to move into a tie for fifth place at 10-under total. He stands alongside Canada’s David Hearn, Chad Collins and Kiwi Danny Lee, who all shot 68. Jonathan Byrd (69), Brendon Todd (67) and Swede David Lingmerth (64) are one stroke back.

Woods finished with four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey as his struggles on the back nine derailed the great start he had to the tournament. The former world No 1 was playing well early — five pars and two birdies through seven holes. He missed the green at the par-three eighth and that led to a bogey. Around the turn, Woods got that shot back with a seven-foot birdie putt at the 10th.

His drive at 11th bounced off the cement cart path and landed out of bounds. That led to a double-bogey, which dropped him to five under. Woods three-putted for bogey at 13, but got that stroke back by rolling in a 16-foot birdie on the 15th. A poor tee shot on 17th led to another dropped shot and he parred the 18th.