Woods charges into share of early lead in Boston

NORTON, Massachusetts, Sep 2 (Reuters) Holder Tiger Woods reeled off three consecutive birdies to move into a tie for the lead midway through the Deutsche Bank Championship third round today.

The world number one, three strokes off the pace overnight, coaxed in a 32-footer at the par-three eighth, a 19-footer at the par-four ninth and an 18-footer at the par-four 10th to get to 10 under overall.

That put him level with fellow American Brett Wetterich and Australian Aaron Baddeley at the top of the leaderboard in the second leg of the inaugural four-event FedExCup playoff series.

The big-hitting Wetterich was two under for the day after six holes and Baddeley, one of three leaders overnight, one under after five on a glorious late summer's day at the TPC Boston.

South African Rory Sabbatini, boosted by an eagle at the par-five second, was a further shot behind at nine under after nine holes, alongside Americans Arron Oberholser (after seven), Phil Mickelson (six) and Rich Beem (five).

Burly Jason Gore, also of the U.S., held a share of the clubhouse lead at eight-under 205 after holing an eight-foot eagle putt at the last for a sparkling 64.

Eight strokes off the pace overnight, he charged into contention with a blistering back nine of five-under 30 that featured a birdie-birdie-birdie-eagle finish.

With scoring conditions ideal on the tree-lined par-71 layout, Gore ended his round level with fellow American Bart Bryant (66).

Players are competing this week for points in addition to an overall purse of 7 million dollars and a winner's cheque for 1.26 million dollars.

The leading 70 on the FedExCup points list after the tournament ends on Monday qualify for next week's BMW Championship outside Chicago.

The top 30 in the standings will then qualify for the Sept.

13-16 Tour Championship in Atlanta where a 10 million dollars bonus in deferred compensation will be earned by the overall points champion.

Reuters BJR VP0137