Taylor fires a 63 to share third round lead with Woods

GRAND BLANC, Michigan, Aug 5 (Reuters) American Vaughn Taylor carded a sizzling third round nine-under 63 to join Tiger Woods at the top of the leaderboard at the Buick Open today.

Taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions, Taylor got his day off to brilliant start with an eagle at the first at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club then gave back a shot with a bogey on the second.

But the 30-year-old American, who is bidding for a place on the US Ryder Cup team, immediately embarked on a scorching run with birdies on nine of the next 14 holes before a bogey-par finish to take the clubhouse lead at 15-under 201.

Woods, fresh off his British Open triumph and chasing his 50th career title, started with a bogey on the second but it was the only blemish on the world number one's scorecard following up with four birdies to get to 15-under with eight to play.

''I've been hitting some bad shots last couple of days, this is just one of those days where it came together,'' Taylor told reporters. ''It's going to be a big day tomorrow.

''I'll just try and stick to my routine.

''I'll have to shoot a low score tomorrow. You can't shoot pars here, you're going to have to shoot some birdies.'' American world number four Jim Furyk and Canadians Stephen Ames and Mike Weir headline a large group golfers one stroke back at 14-under all with holes to play.

Two-time defending champion Vijay Singh also remained in contention for a Buick treble sitting one shot further back at 13-under with seven to play.

REUTERS DH KP0147