The European Order of Merit leader carded a third round 68 to move to nine under-par and keep alive hopes of at least matching his second spot in 1997.

He made three birdies on the front nine before three-putting the 10th but a nine-footer at 12 boosted his cause.

When he walked off after a birdie at 18 he was the highest-placed Briton in the event for the second day running.

And he insisted on remaining optimistic about what could happen on the final day.

"All I can do is play as well as I can," Clarke explained.

"Tiger is playing great and when he plays as well as this he is tough to beat but he is not invincible," he added.

Clarke, who has yet to find a bunker in the tournament so far, knows Woods can be beaten, after achieving the seemingly impossible feat in the Million Dollar World Match Play.

Surprises

He continued: "This golf course can throw up some surprises so you never know what's going to happen.

"If you get a bad bounce into the bunker and get a lie that is unplayable then that could change things.

"You could be forced to go back to the tee and guys can make birdies while another drops one or two shots.

"The wind could also pick up, which would suit me because I'm used to those conditions but I would still have to play well."