A troublesome start dominated by bogeys has proved costly for tournament host Tiger Woods as he struggled on day three at the World Challenge in the Bahamas.
After two strong rounds that had many followers believing Tiger was back, the former world No.1 stumbled, recording four of his five bogeys in the first seven holes to shoot 40 on the front nine.
He fought back with birdies on holes 14 and 17 to finish with a three-over par 75.
That left Woods tied for 10th at four-under, 10 strokes behind leader Charley Hoffman, in his first event in nearly 10 months after spinal fusion surgery.
Only in the closing five holes where Woods -- ranked 1,199 -- twice had birdies and narrowly missed a third at the last, did the 41-year-old show he could again be a factor.
Breezy conditions made under-par rounds difficult at the Albany course with overnight leader Hoffman one of just four golfers to brak par on Saturday.
The American surged to a five-stroke lead after a birdie at 18 for a two-under 70 lifted him to 14 under.
He overcame a double bogey from a wild tee shot on No.10 to closes with three birdies over his last five holes.
England's Justin Rose (71) and Jordan Spieth (72) were tied for second at nine under.
One stroke further back is Italy's Francesco Molinari (71).
Five players are tied for fifth at seven-under par -- American trio Patrick Reed (71), Rickie Fowler (72) and Matt Kuchar (72); Japan's defending champion Hideki Matsuyama (72) and England's Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood (74).
Reuters
