Casey is hoping to cement his place in the European Ryder Cup team

R3 LEADERBOARD:
US unless stated
-9 Stewart Cink
-8 Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Paul Casey (Gbr)
-7 Jim Furyk
-6 Lucas Glover
-5 Ernie Els (SA), Kevin Stadler, Adam Scott (Aus)

Paul Casey stormed into contention for victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron thanks to a stunning 64 in round three.

The Briton, 29, goes into the closing 18 holes in joint second place, one shot adrift of leader Stewart Cink.

Tiger Woods led at the start of the day but suffered an uncharacteristic slump, carding four successive bogeys in a one-over-par round of 71.

The American is tied with Casey and Davis Love III on eight under.

"I told you last week my form was coming round," said Casey.

My body took me out of the tournament and my mind brought me back in it Tiger Woods

"I'm just trying to focus on this week. The Ryder Cup is just a by-product from playing well this year.

"I hope to seal my spot (at this tournament), but the primary objective is to shoot another good score."

Woods refused to be downbeat after his wobble.

"My body took me out of the tournament and my mind brought me back in it," said the defending champion.

"I didn't warm up well and it was a tough day. I didn't really have it with ball-striking and my putting. Some of the chip shots were not good either.

"I did hole two, though, and I stayed in the ball-game. To be only one back is a huge positive."

I'm doing it the hard way and I've only got myself to blame Paul McGinley

While Casey can secure his Ryder Cup berth on Sunday, the battle lower down the order is hotting up.

Paul McGinley, currently ninth in the standings, had a 70, which leaves him joint-69th of the 78 players and the Irishman said he was prepared for a "dogfight" at next week's BMW International in Germany to secure his place.

"I'm doing it the hard way and I've only got myself to blame," said McGinley, who sank the winning putt against the US four years ago.

Jose Maria Olazabal, who is not playing next week, currently holds the final automatic spot but dropped from joint-11th to 33rd after a disappointing 74 in his third round.

Paul Broadhurst, who is 11th on the list, did not qualify for this week's tournament, and he may need to win or come second next week to make the team.

Thomas Bjorn, in 15th, kept his hopes of qualifying for the Ryder Cup alive with a third-round 67 that leaves him tied for 10th.