Leonard will be last out on to the course with fellow American Rich Beem at 2010 BST as he seeks to preserve his advantage after a brilliant third round of 69.

But the 1997 British Open winner is only too aware that the man in front of him, Tiger Woods, could provide the biggest threat to his hopes.

"Does he intimidate me? Sure, at times he does," Leonard admitted after finishing his round.

"He hasn't done it this week, and if I go out and do my job, then he won't tomorrow, either.

"I feel like I've got to play a great round of golf. It takes that to win a Major championship."

World number one Woods finds himself in the unaccustomed position of having to make up a deficit after his third round of 72 left him five shots adrift.

But Leonard knows anything is possible after making up five shots himself to win the Open at Troon five years ago.

"It's safe depending on how I play. But if I struggle or stumble, guys are going to feel like they've got a chance," said Leonard.

Woods, who has never come from behind in the final round to win a Major, will tee off in the penultimate group with Fred Funk.

"It really ticked me off to end on a bogey but overall I hit the ball pretty solid and holed a lot of big putts I had to make," said Woods.

"Unfortunately I'm a little behind at the moment but tomorrow I can play better.

"The problem is you can't be that aggressive. If you do you are on the bogey train.

"All I have to do is play well, make putts. It's really no big secret. There's only a few guys ahead of me."