After finishing in the top five of the month at Quicken Loans National, Tiger Woods is back this week looking for his first league win since the 2008 US Open. [19659007] The 14-time major champion participates in the third golf tournament, The Open Championship, this week at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. Tiger opened the game Thursday with a par 71 and followed suit with another 71 on Friday. He then shot a 66 under 66 on Saturday, and was tied at the first point. He begins Sunday to play four shots of the head.

Tiger leaves at 9:25 ET with Francesco Molinari. Then follow for the shot-by-shot badysis of his final round.

Thoughts at the Turn

My colleague Steve DiMeglio wrote about how we saw vintage Tiger Woods on Saturday, and we still see him today. He does exactly what he needs to do: take advantage of opportunities and avoid mistakes. He played safely and took risks at the perfect time, and his putter has contact today. We can not say how impressing he was this week, especially at the start. He was forced to sneak a little further on the front, firing twice perfectly bunkers. After Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele drop their shots, Tiger heads for the tied back nine.

Hole 9 – Par 4

Iron meal here for Tiger and this one goes down the left side of the fairway. His conservative game plan is working perfectly this week. Well, he will have to scramble to save the parry and stay ahead after finding the bunker with his approach. That's right, Jordan Spieth and Alex Schauffele have both dropped shots to give Tiger a lead in advance at 7 under. His output is solid, just like the last time. It rolls within 5 feet of the cut for another big rescue. 2-under thru 9 (7-under for the tournament).

Hole 8 – Par 3

And here is his first mistake of the day. His tee shot finds the greenside bunker to the right of the hole, but he is in the middle with green to work with. Not great, but certainly not what he needs with Jordan Spieth struggling behind him. Perfect for Tiger, roll up to the cup in a few feet to set up one by salvage. 2-under thru 8 (7-under for the tournament).

Hole 7 – Par 4

Tiger is now a shot from the head, and his iron shot here on number 7 finds the fairway on the right. Playing in the 20-mph wind, he safely flies it to the front of the putting green, avoiding the bunker guarding the hole. He has a long birdie putt to try to take a head shot. It was close but it does not quite happen. By. 2-under thru 7 (7-under for the tournament).

Hole 6 – By 5

Driver here for Tiger and he thought he was in trouble. One could hear him mumbling as his ball followed toward a right fairway bunker, but he avoided it (unlike his gaming partner). He was lucky with a bad swing there. Tiger goes here with 3-wood and catches it perfectly. He is either on the edge of the green or the bangs, with a great chance to score here. Chirp chirp chirp. 2-under thru 6 (7-under for the tournament).

Update Ranking: Tiger picked up two shots on leaders Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth who bogeyed both to fall to 8 under. Kevin Kisner dug a hole from a birdie bunker and get to 7 under, tied with Tiger for third place.

Hole 5 – Par 4

Another tee iron and that's another beauty in the fairway. His approach finds the green right next to a mbadive slope that keeps the hole. Her birdie putt rises up the hill and drags just to the right of the cup. Press at par. 1-under thru 5 (6-under for the tournament).

Rating Update: Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth are still tied for the 9-under lead, followed by Tiger, Molinari, Kevin Chappell and Kevin Kisner at age 6.

Hole 4 – Par 4

The tiger goes again with the big dog that still plays very well this one. His pilot looked good early, with this one landing in the rough right and rolling in the shortcut. Not bad. Tiger went to get the pin with his approach and did pretty well here, landing about 15 feet from the cut. For the fourth consecutive day, Tiger birdies the fourth hole. 1-under thru 4 (6-under for the tournament)

Hole 3 – Par 4

Another tee iron and Tiger keeps this one down and finds the fairway. At 128 yards from the pin with a wind over 20 miles to the hour at his back, Tiger has a decision to make here. The pin is at the left front of the green and guarded by a burn in the face. He throws it into the wind and goes about 40-50 feet above the hole in the center-right of the green. Safe shot, not bad at all. Not a bad putt here, late at a few feet for one by two-putt. Even through 3 (5 under the tournament)

Rating Update: Everyone is on the course right now and the pair of 24 year olds Xander Schaufelle and Jordan Spieth playing in the last group are still at the top of the rankings at 9 under par. Kevin Kisner doubled the double and dropped to 7 under.

Hole 2 – Par 4

Driver here for Tiger and he is on the left edge of the fairway. He does not move away from his conservative game plan, the wind blows nearly 20 mph on his face. The 7-iron approach of Tiger is high but on the bangs. He will be able to do some putt, but it's not an easy chance for a birdie. Tiger played this one to have a great break from left to right, but he did not move much, leaving about 5 feet for the par. He makes the putt and stays until 2 (5 under the tournament)

Hole 1 – Par 4

And we left. Threading his famous Sunday red, Tiger will iron the tee here and it's in the fairway. His approach found the green just over 10 feet from the hole, setting up a birdie chance on number 1. The putt had a slight break and was about an inch short. By. Even at 1 (5 under the tournament).