GRAEME McDOWELL IS on track to break a two-year title drought after clinging to a two-stroke lead at the World Challenge on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman sunk two long birdie putts early in a bogey-free round of four-under 68 to head to the clubhouse at 13-under after round three.
He leads by two strokes from Keegan Bradley (67) with Tiger Woods five shots adrift.
McDowell has not won a title since his playoff win over Woods at the World Challenge in 2010 and another showdown between the pair in the final round on Sunday is not beyond the realms of possibility.
“If I was to get the job done (on Sunday) I may have to stay an extra day and get a real estate agent and have a look around the area because there’s something weird going on here,” McDowell said.
“I think it’s certainly my kind of course, there’s no doubt about it. It’s a course that rewards a premium on accuracy and a premium on good, aggressive iron play. I’ve always kind of rolled the ball here well, as well. It’s definitely a golf course that sets up well for me.”
McDowell moved eight shots clear of Woods at one stage with birdies at nine and 11 before the American closed with three of his own in the final four holes at Sherwood.
Woods, the reigning champion, failed to birdie any of the par fives but did enough to card a 69 and join Bo Van Pelt at eight-under.
Jim Furyk looms a shot further back at seven-under ahead of US compatriots Rickie Fowler (six-under), Nick Watney (five-under), Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson (all four-under).
Australian Jason Day remains last in the 18-man field as the only player over par for the tournament.
Day carded a 72 on Saturday to stay at two-over for the tournament, but recovered well with three birdies on the back nine after four bogeys on the front.
