Atlanta, Nov 03: Vijay Singh blew away Tiger Woods and the rest of his challengers at the tour championship yesterday, holing a 80-foot eagle putt on no.15 and closing strong for a 5-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round. The position is familiar to Singh, just not the margin.

He led by one stroke in 1998, losing in a playoff to Hal Sutton. He was tied with Woods after three rounds in 2000, and both were passed by Phil Mickelson.

This might be the week he closes the deal.

"I hope so," said Singh, who was at 9-under 201. "This is the first time I'm going in with a three-shot lead. It's a lot better than one." Charles Howell III kept in the hunt with a birdie on the 17th hole and finished with a 69, making him the only player to break par all three rounds at east lake. He will be paired with Singh in the final round today.

Howell is making his debut in the season-ending tournament for the top 30 players on the money list, but his position is familiar, too.

Bureau Report