Tiger Woods with 3-shot lead, 1 round from Tour Championship win

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press

6 years ago

Tiger Woods putts for birdie on the third hole during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tiger Woods watches hits from the third fairway during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

CORRECTS TO EIGHTH GREEN INSTEAD OF 18TH GREEN – Tiger Woods chips to the eighth green during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tiger Woods wipes his face while sizing up his shot from the seventh fairway during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Tiger Woods hits from the first fairway during the third round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

ATLANTA — Tiger Woods is three shots ahead and one round away from capping his comeback season with a victory.

Woods played the most dynamic golf he has all year with six birdies in his opening seven holes, building as much as a five-shot lead before he cooled off for a 5-under 65 and a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy in the Tour Championship.

He has the 54-hole lead for the first time since his last victory in 2013 at the Bridgestone Invitational. He has never lost an official tournament when leading by more than two shots.

Woods has never been in better position to show he’s all the way back.

It will be the first time Woods and McIlroy (66) play in the final group Sunday on the PGA Tour.