Tiger Woods finds the rough in Australia (Roundup)

Nov 14, 2009, 8:16 GMT

   Sydney - Tiger Woods squandered a three-stroke lead Saturday as he battled to stay in contention at the Australian Masters.

   'I've played myself into a tie for the lead and I could have easily played myself right out of the tournament,' Woods said after an even-par 72 at Melbourne's Kingston Heath.

   'I was very fortunate - somehow I found a way of shooting par today because it certainly should've been a lot worse than that.'

   Australians Greg Chalmers and James Nitties joined Woods at the top of the leader board on 10-under, after each made up three strokes with rounds of 69.

   With just 18 holes left to play, American Jason Dufner and Australia's Cameron Percy are two shots back and also in with a chance of spoiling Woods' weekend.

   The world's top golfer was the only player among the top contenders not to break par, his 72 contrasting with rounds of 66 and 68 on the first two days.

   Fading after the cut has a familiar ring for the 33-year-old American. He has led at the halfway point in his last four tournaments but has gone on to win only two of them.

   The form slump came after leading Australian internet betting company Sportsbet began paying out on a Woods win, with Sportsbet chief executive Matthew Tripp saying 'we think the Australian Masters is a foregone conclusion.'

   It is no longer that, with Woods going into the final day with a bevy of players thinking they have a chance of beating him.

   Nitties, 27, said he was astonished that the 14-time Major winner let his rivals catch up.

   'I would never have expected that, considering the course was probably easier than it was yesterday,' Nitties said. 'I'm definitely pretty shocked.'

   Chalmers, who will tee off for the final round with Nitties, said he was happy with the prospect of defeating the crowd favourite. 'I'm very prepared for that, yes, it doesn't bother me in the slightest,' he said.

   Woods, playing in Australia for the first time in 11 years, struggled not just with tee shots and on the greens but with his emotions as well.

   After slamming his driver into the turf in frustration, Woods watched as it cannoned over the heads of those in the gallery.

   The golfer famous for his ice-cool composure was also disbelieving at his own performance, describing his game as 'atrocious.'