R3 LEADERBOARD -9 J Daly -8 C Montgomerie (Sco) -7 S Garcia (Sp), T Woods -6 H Stenson (Swe), J Furyk -5 S Appleby (Aus) (US unless stated)

Scot Colin Montgomerie, who had led the tournament throughout, added another 69 and holds second spot at eight under.

World number one Tiger Woods birdied the 16th and 17th to move level with Sergio Garcia at minus seven.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell turned in 30 but a quadruple bogey eight at the last left him three under.

Daly, who began one behind Montgomerie, made a horrendous start in blustery conditions at Harding Park.

I don't know how Tiger does it every week John Daly

He bogeyed the first and then took five at the par-three third, but picked up a birdie at the fourth, and another at the seventh when he drove the green on the par-four.

Two more enormous hits led to an eagle at the 10th and having driven to the edge of the par-four 16th he chipped neatly up to a foot from the pin for his fourth birdie of the day.

"I wasn't that upset with the start," said Daly. I was a little frustrated because I was three-over. But I really didn't miss a shot except the drive on one.

"It's a lot of fun, but it's very stressful. I mean, it's great to be in this position, but it's not the easiest thing to do.

"I don't know how Tiger (Woods) does it every week."

If I can make a few birdies and post a number early we'll see Third-placed Tiger Woods

Montgomerie played steadily again, dropping only one shot and collecting two birdies in his opening eight holes.

He parred the final 10, chipping expertly to within inches of the hole at the last.

"I am quite proud to be here and staying in contention," the 42-year-old said.

"I have given myself an opportunity to win and we will see what happens."

Woods drove way right at the final hole and was fortunate that his ball was kept in play by the ever-large galleries.

Having launched his second into the heart of the green he saw his putt for an unlikely birdie horseshoe out of the cup.

"I am very happy with 68 because under those conditions it was tough to go low," he said. "Not being in the last group on Sunday, if I can make a few birdies and post a number early we'll see."

McDowell's day changed completely when he drove into heavy rough at the last and stayed in there after his second shot.

Having hooked his third into the water and taken a drop, he missed the green with his fifth and ran up an eight.

"It's a cruel game and I am pretty down now," he admitted. "It's a really tough hole, I would not say unfair but out of character with the rest of the course which is all laid out in front of you."