Woods - points towards a wayward drive.

Tiger Woods delivered an ominous warning to the rest of the Open field after maintaining his place at the top of the leaderboard.

The world number one has won all his nine majors from the front going into the final day.

Woods is two shots ahead of Jose Maria Olazabal with Colin Montgomerie and Retief Goosen one further behind.

Woods said: "It surely doesn't hurt having the experience to deal with a lead going into the final round. Hopefully I can put it together.

"I am very pleased to be in the lead. If I did not think I was going to win I would not show up."

Woods, who shot a third round 71 for a total of 204, 12 under par, was never caught by the pack today.

He continued: "To lead all day and still hold the lead is very sweet. I worked hard to get back to under par.

"I figured if I shot under par then I would have a piece of the lead.

"It was tough out there when the wind picked up.

"The greens were hard. In fact you have got to lift weights to hit putts that hard.

"The fairways were hard as well and it was difficult judging how hard the ball was going to roll."

Woods is delighted to be going out on the final day with Olazabal.

"He is a good friend and we have practised together, " he added. "He is a good friend. We will compete and try and win the championship."