Wi stays in charge at Pebble Beach, Tiger lurks four back

South Korean Charlie Wi maintained ice-cool composure to retain control of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in Saturday's third round as some of golf's biggest names snapped at his heels.

The Korean, who has yet to win on the PGA Tour, finished at 15-under 199, three strokes in front of American Ken Duke, who fired a five-under 65 on the relatively easy Monterey Peninsula Shore Course.

Lurking a further stroke back at 11 under was the ominous figure of Tiger Woods, who piled up six birdies in eight holes on the way to a five-under 67 at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Also in contention at nine under were three-times champion Phil Mickelson, who carded a 70 at Pebble Beach, and twice winner Dustin Johnson, after a 70 at Monterey Peninsula.

Woods, bidding for his first PGA Tour victory in more than two years, knew had to shoot a low round at Pebble Beach on Saturday to stay in touch with the pacesetting Wi.

"Charlie was playing well," 14-times major champion Woods told reporters. "He got off to a quick start, he was like one under through two or three holes, and he kept building on that.

"I needed to at least close the gap so I'm within touch tomorrow. I figured I had to shoot a good one today.

FLAWLESS DISPLAY

Wi, who has finished second on the U.S. circuit four times, delivered a flawless display with three birdies on the tricky Spyglass Hill layout to retain control of the tournament.

As early morning cloud cover gave way to steady drizzle and then afternoon sunshine, the 40-year-old Korean birdied two of his last seven holes to finish at 15 under.

"I am sure I will be fighting my demons all day tomorrow. It is how I handle myself that is going to be the outcome of the tournament.

"He (Woods) has won 70-some times and I am trying to get my first, so I have a lot more pressure on me than he does."

Wi, who held a one-stroke lead going into the final round of last year's Colonial Invitational before finishing one behind eventual winner David Toms, believes he is a different and more energized player in 2012.

"I know tonight is going to be very exciting and I am sure I won't sleep as well as if I am in 50th place," he said. "But that's what we play for and I am really excited.

"Something has turned over the last couple of months where I really feel comfortable with myself out there. I enjoy being in the lead, it is a lot more fun than coming from behind."

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland briefly moved to three strokes off the lead in the third round before he dropped four shots in his last five holes for a 72 at Spyglass Hill and an eight-under total.

The cut fell at one-under 213 with former major winners David Duval, Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir, and U.S. Ryder Cup player Rickie Fowler, among those failing to advance.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)