R3 LEADERBOARD GB&Ire unless stated -16 T Woods (USA), A Hansen (Den) -15 R Goosen (SA) -14 E Els (SA), R Green (Aus), M Jimenez (Spa) Selected others: -12 B Dredge -11 P Broadhurst -10 D Clarke

Woods shot 67, birdieing the last to catch Hansen, who finished with a 69 as the pair moved to 16 under par.

South Africa's Retief Goosen is a shot behind and defending champion Ernie Els kept in touch with a 68.

Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez equalled the day's best round with a 66 to join Els and Australian Richard Green on 14 under par for the tournament.

Woods, who started the day two behind Goosen and Hansen, was pleased, if not elated, by his performance.

"I hit a lot of good shots on the back nine," he said. "The front nine was kind of all right.

I don't know why I struggled to get up and down coming home Retief Goosen

"I hit some indifferent ones, but I had some good ones sprinkled in there. The back nine was solid. I hope tomorrow I can play all 18 that way."

Playing his first event after a six-week break - the longest of his career - Goosen was disappointed with his back nine.

"I don't know why I struggled to get up and down coming home," he said. "Maybe it was a bit of rustiness - a lack of practice over the last few weeks."

Welshman Bradley Dredge leads the British challenge after shooting 68 to go 12 under par - one ahead of fellow Briton, Paul Broadhurst who fired a 67.