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Tiger Woods - Source: Reuters
The Tiger hunt was on in earnest at the Australian Masters on Saturday.
The World No.1 had a mixed start to his third round at Kingston Heath, opening the door for the challengers.
His overnight three shot lead had been reduced to just one after only four holes.
Woods failed to take advantage of the opening par five first hole when his second shot veered right, off the fairway and he had to settle for par.
He raised a roar from the swollen crowd when he knocked in an eight metre birdie putt at the par four second, but handed back the shot when he three-putted the third.
Meanwhile, countryman Jason Dufner, partnering Woods, overcame a nervous start to fire consecutive birdies, including a holed chip shot at the fourth, to move to nine under the card and one off the World No.1's lead.
Three players were holding a share of third place, one shot further back, including the little-known French European Tour player Francois Delamontagne.
Delamontagne was off to a sparkling start, racing through the front nine in 32, four under par, before picking up a fifth birdie at the par four 10th.
Joining him at eight under were Australians Greg Chalmers and James Nitties, who had both begun with birdies at the first but found themselves overtaken.
Local hero Stuart Appleby continued his steady form, back home after losing full playing rights in the US.
Appleby had collected an extra shot through his front nine to mover to six under the card and remained within sight of the pacesetters.
Meanwhile, New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson has maintained his impressive round - he is four-under for the day through 10 holes to be placed at six-under for the tournament in a seven-way tie for sixth.
Mahal Pearce has dropped two shots to be placed at three-under overall through seven holes.
Updates to follow......
