Only rain could stop Tiger reign

Woods holds an eight-shot lead at the Buick Invitational.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Winning the Buick Invitational is now a matter of when, not who.

Tiger Woods hit his stride Saturday at Torrey Pines, missing only one green in regulation on his way to a 6-under 66 and an eight-shot lead, the largest 54-hole margin on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 2006 at the BellSouth Classic.

Woods was at 18-under 198, tying the 54-hole record at Torrey Pines set by Woody Blackburn in 1985. Woods also shattered tournament records for 54-hole lead (five shots), and appears well on his way to capturing the Buick Invitational for the fourth straight year, and sixth time in his career.

Stewart Cink holed a 35-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to lead the B-flight. That gave him a 69. One shot behind was Joe Durant, who shot a 67 on the South Course and lost ground to Woods. Durant was at 9-under 207, and when someone asked if a mercy rule was in order, he could only laugh.

“If there was ever a week for it, this might be it,” Durant said.

Mercy might come from Mother Nature. Sunshine gave way to cloud cover late in the day, and the forecast today is for heavy rain that could wash out the round. Players would have to return Monday if the course conditions and forecast allow.

Justin Leonard, who made the playing cut on the number, turned in the best score Saturday with eight birdies in a round of 65. That moved him up 44 spots on the leaderboard into a tie for fourth and gave him incentive for the final round.

“There’s two tournaments going on,” he said. “I’m going to try to win the tournament that Tiger’s not playing.”

Woods had none of it.

“If it was over, they’d be handing out the trophy,” Woods said. “Tomorrow, conditions are going to be tough. You just plod along and be steady and not make any bogeys.”

Kevin Streelman, the 29-year-old rookie who was the last alternate to get into the Buick Invitational, finally had his introduction to Woods in more ways than one.

They shook hands on the first tee, and Streelman held his own. He hit past Woods on the opening tee shot, hit his approach to 4 feet, but missed the putt on the low side, and that became a common occurrence. Even so, he was 1 under through the day until sending a wedge long on the par-5 ninth and taking double bogey.

Streelman finished with a 75 and tumbled into a tie for 11th. But he was all smiles.

“It was one of the coolest experiences in my life,” he said. “I learned a lot and did my best.”