Golf Events / Editor / 17 June 2007 /

Aaron Baddeley will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the US Open, but the Australian will be looking over his shoulder throughout Sunday with Tiger Woods looming large behind him.

Australian Baddeley shot a level-par round of 70 on Saturday, including a birdie at the 18th, to leave him on +2 for the tournament - two shots ahead of Woods.

Baddeley, 26, has always been tipped as a Major winner of the future, but the big question remains 'Is he strong enough to finish the job?' Baddeley has won five tournaments during his career with the majority of them seeing him coming from off the pace to snatch the prize.

This time it is much different, not only is it a Major but it is the world number one that is chasing him. Baddeley is currently trading at 4.3 to lift the trophy.

Woods sits in lone second on +4 after a brilliant third-round 69, which included two birdies on the front nine with the only bogey going at the par-four 18th. Several pundits described his Saturday performance as Woods' best-ever round, some claim considering he has 12 Major titles under his belt! The US star hit 94% greens in regulation in the third round after finding less than 60 percent on Friday.

The two-time US Open champion was perfect with distance judgement and not surprisingly goes into the final round as the 2.28 favourite, especially as he is the only player in the top six to have won a Major. Punters must remember though that Woods has not come from behind on the final day to win one of the big four titles, but his experience could prove crucial this time.

There is still a chance of a British victory at Oakmont - which would be the first since Paul Lawrie's Open Championship success in 1999. Paul Casey and Justin Rose are just three shots off the pace, joining Canada's Stephen Ames and American Bubba Watson on +5.

Casey followed up his impressive second-round 66 with a two-over-par 72 on Saturday and is trading at 15.5 to be victorious at Oakmont. Betfair punters feel Rose may have more chance of claiming his first Major this weekend, with the 26-year-old on offer at 15 and the 2.32 favourite to finish as the top European. Sweden's Niclas Fasth (10.5) and England's Nick Dougherty (32) are on +7 and +9 respectively.

The long-hitting Watson has surprised many with his form this week and can be backed at 46 to win the event, while the Florida-born star is trading at 5.4 to be the top US player without Woods. Meanwhile, the steady Ames (22 to win) is available at 2.24 to finish as the top International player this week.

The round of the day on Saturday came from veteran American Steve Stricker, whose 68 moved him into tied seventh. The 40-year-old, who has finished inside the top 20 on five occasions of the US Open, found four birdies during his third round and may be left rueing his 75 on the opening day.

Stricker, 50 to claim victory and 3.85 to finish in the top five, is joined by 2003 champion Jim Furyk and midway leader Angel Cabrera on +6. Furyk is yet to break 70 this week, but his consistent tee-to-green play means he is still in contention and is available to back at 18. Cabrera looks to have blown his chances though and now trades at 55 following his third-round 76.

Two former Major winners are within six shots of the lead and will still be hopeful of having a say at the top of the leaderboard on Sunday evening. David Toms, the 2001 PGA champion, is sat on +7 and is trading at 65 to win at Oakmont, while three-time Major winner Vijay Singh (+8) can be backed at 110 to win and 5.5 to claim a top five finish.

With rounds the 60s likely to be few and far between again on Sunday, it's no surprise to '285 or Higher' as the 1.75 favourite in the 'Winning Score' market while '281-284' is trading at 2.36.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>