(CNN) -- Tiger Woods remains on course for his eighth WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title after a third round 68 saw him maintain a seven-shot lead at Firestone Country Club, Ohio on Saturday.
The world No.1 came charging out of the blocks with back-to-back birdies at the opening two holes raising the prospect that he might repeat Friday's course record-equaling round of 61. But a less dramatic day at the office ensued.
Woods closed the opening nine with a bogey before immediately repairing the damage with birdie at 10. A stunning chip-in from heavy greenside rough followed at the 13th taking Woods temporarily to 16 under.
But bogeys at the 14th and the 16th checked his progress, before a birdie, par finish ensured that, barring a minor miracle, Woods will claim his fifth title of the year.
Sweden's Henrik Stenson is Woods' nearest challenger on eight-under following a three-under par round of 67 while Jason Dufner is a shot further back after also shooting 67.
England's Chris Wood (70) and Luke Donald (68) along with America's Bill Haas (69) are tied for fourth with Keegan Bradley and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez sharing seventh place after contrasting fortunes on Saturday.
Defending champion Bradley couldn't get going all day and had to settle for a one-over par 71 while Jimenez fired the day's best score -- a five-under 65 -- to leave both men five under, one place and two shots ahead of current Masters champion Adam Scott (66) and Zach Johnson (68).
Ahead of the defense of his USPGA Championship title at Oak Hill, Rory McIlroy had another satisfactory day. The Northern Irishman posted a one under round of 69 to leave him in a 11-way tie for 17th place at even par.
Wind blows schedule off course in Scotland
At the Women's British Open play was suspended because of high winds at St Andrews' Old Course.
Gusts of 40mph (64kph) were enough for officials to call a halt to proceedings on Saturday with only nine players having completed their third rounds.
South Korea's Na Yeon Choi is currently leading after two consecutive rounds of 67 left her on 10-under par, one shot ahead of Miki Saiki from Japan. America's Morgan Pressel is third on eight under.
Weather and wind permitting, Sunday will be a long day for most of the field, with the majority having to play 36 holes. Play gets underway at 6.15 BST.
Via: Woods stays seven shots clear
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