Tiger Woods believes he still has a chance of challenging for a record ninth Arnold Palmer Invitational victory after an encouraging third-round display at Bay Hill.
Woods mixed five birdies with two bogeys on his way to a three-under 69 in Florida, keeping him in touch with the leaders as he chases a first worldwide victory since the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
The former world No 1 admitted to having to “grind out a score” during his second-round 72 on Friday, but was left optimistic about his chances after a much-improved display.
“I’m within reach if I shoot a really, really low round tomorrow,” Woods said. “Maybe a low one tomorrow will give me a chance to kind of steal one from behind.
“I’m going to have to probably get a little bit of help, but my responsibility is to go out and shoot a low one first.”
Beginning the day seven shots off the pace, Woods posted a two-putt par at the first but dropped a shot at the next after failing to get up-and-down from a greenside bunker.
Woods drained a 40-footer at the third and rolled in from six feet to birdie the par-five next, before cancelling out a 15-foot birdie at the sixth with a blemish at the eighth to turn in 35.
The world No 149 converted from 10 feet to birdie the 11th and picked up another stroke at the 16th, with Woods cancelling out a bogey at the 17th by holing a 12-footer at the last to get to seven under.
“I played well, scored well, it was a good day all around,” Woods added. “I can’t complain about anything I did today. I really hit the ball solidly, I controlled it, and I hit a lot of beautiful putts.
“I still feel like I’m coming back. I’m still getting used to what my body can do, shots I’m hitting and playing and competing again. It feels good to be back out there.”
