Woods set to end miserable year with Sherwood win

THOUSAND OAKS, California, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, with a renewed swagger in his step, was poised to cap a turbulent year on a high note after maintaining a four-shot lead in Saturday’s third round of the Chevron World Challenge.

Seeking his first tournament win since the 2009 Australian Masters, the former world number one recovered from a faltering start to fire a four-under-par 68 at Sherwood Country Club.

Boosted by a three-birdie run on the front nine and two more in the last three holes, Woods closed in on his fifth victory at his own event by posting a 17-under total of 199.

He struck a superb eight-iron approach at the par-four last to within a foot, sparking huge roars from the gallery watching from the natural amphitheatre below the imposing clubhouse.

His playing partner, U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, was alone in second after carding a 68 with Englishman Paul Casey (69) a further four shots back in third.

“I’m excited about tomorrow because of the way I’ve been playing,” Woods told reporters after putting himself in prime position to complete his first wire-to-wire victory since the 2006 WGC-American Express Championship.

Ogilvy wins Australian Open by four shots

Geoff Ogilvy achieved one of his long-held goals by winning the 2010 Australian Open by four shots at The Lakes course in Sydney.

Australia’s only major winner in the past 15 years courtesy of his 2006 US Open triumph, Ogilvy won his first title Down Under at the 2008 Australian PGA, but always identified the Australian Open as the one he really wanted.

And he did it in style, carding rounds of 68-65-67-69 for a 19-under par total and a four-shot triumph over Matt Jones and Alistair Presnell.

The 33-year-old won the US PGA Tour’s season-opening event in Hawaii, but then endured a disappointing season by his standards until this week.

Karlberg birdies last two holes to win Indian Open

NEW DELHI, (Reuters) - Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg made two birdies on the last two holes to win the Indian Open on Sunday, his second title in his rookie Asian tour season.

Karlberg, who earned his 2010 Asian Tour card through qualifying school, won the SAIL Open on the same Delhi Golf Club course in April.

In the $1.25-million Indian Open, the Swede seized the initiative with a 20-foot birdie putt on 17 to grab a two-shot lead but he made matters tricky by sending his third shot on the par-five 18th into the sponsor’s marquee.

Karlberg, who turned 24 on Wednesday, took a free drop and then chipped his fourth shot for a sensational birdie which brought rapturous applause from the crowd.

“To sink the chip, it feels amazing. This is my biggest win and it feels just amazing,” said Karlberg, who totalled 11-under-par 277 for the week.

“I came here with the goal to win as I wanted to get closer to Marcus Fraser to try to win the runner-up spot on the Order of Merit. It feels unbelievable.”

Overnight leader Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea birdied the last hole to clinch second place, securing a Tour card for next season.