Tiger shows signs of old form at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO — The fog enshrouding Tiger Woods’ game as he worked on his third major swing change began to lift last year when he won three times. But the gloom still loomed on the weekends, adding to the intrigue of Woods’ play Sunday at the Farmers Insurance Open.

After the third round was pushed back by a more traditional fog that cloaked Torrey Pines on Saturday, Woods entered a long day of golf with a two-stroke lead and one burning question: After all his tinkering, has he weekend-proofed his game?

The early returns were promising. Woods birdied two of his first three holes but bogeyed his last — the first time in 13 trips here as a professional he has made a six on 18 — on his way to a 3-underpar 69. At 14-under after 54 holes, Woods lengthened his lead to four strokes over Brad Fritsch, a PGA Tour rookie from Ottawa, who carded a 70.

In the late afternoon, Woods started a fourth round he had no hope of finishing by missing the first three fairways. His tee shots were loose, but he kept a firm grip on the lead. Woods was 17-under through 61 holes when play was suspended because of darkness.

“I played really, really well,” Woods said between rounds. “I hit the ball good. I putted really good … It seemed like I was always in pretty good position.”

Fritsch, 35, who earned his spot on tour by finishing tied for seventh at last month’s qualifying school, spent the day in the group directly ahead of Woods. That gave him the pleasure, as he described it, of experiencing the tail end of the Tiger streak of fans.

“There is a little more traffic-directing going on than I’m used to,” said Fritsch

As the tournament headed into its first Monday finish in its 61-year history, Woods had positive memories to draw upon. He has converted 49 of 53 third-round leads, including his last two. And at the 2008 U.S. Open, he defeated Rocco Mediate in a Monday playoff.