Masters favourite Tiger woods will need one of his vintage Sunday performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational if he is to break a US PGA Tour win drought of almost five years.
Woods mixed six birdies with three bogeys during a three-under-par 69 during the third round at Bay Hill and at seven under has left himself five shots back of leader Henrik Stenson.
The 41-year-old Stenson posted a 71 to move to 12 under and he will take a one-shot cushion into the final round over Bryson DeChambeau (72).
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy fired a 67 to be alone in third at 10 under.
In trademark fashion, 14-time major winner Woods refused to rule himself out of the contest as he chases a ninth victory at Bay Hill.
"I'm within reach if I shoot a really, really low round tomorrow," Woods said.
"I've got a chance; I'm five back."
Having had multiple surgeries during the past five years, Woods' last victory came at the 2013 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.
But in the fifth event of his comeback from spinal fusion surgery that forced a 10-month stint on the sidelines last year, Woods says his form is sharpening.
"I'm just happy to be back playing again, competing, grinding out there and trying to work my way up the board," Woods said.
Following a tie for second at last week's Valspar Championship, four-time Masters winner Woods has ascended to outright betting favourite for Augusta National.
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