FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- As Tiger Woods made his way around the back nine of the Black Course at Bethpage State Park yesterday, the roars of the boisterous crowd rang in his ears.
There was only one problem: the roars were mostly for those trying to catch Woods in the 102nd U.S. Open.
They were for Phil Mickelson, who, at 3-over par, had started the third round eight strokes behind Woods but was within two shots of the lead at 1-under par through 17 holes.
They were for Spain's Sergio Garcia, who had begun the day seven strokes down but also climbed to 1 under after nearly making a hole-in-one on the par-3 14th and then making another birdie on the par-4 16th.
They weren't for Woods, who had come into the round with a three-shot lead over Padraig Harrington, and had watched it briefly increase to five at the turn before his second bogey and a subsequent three-putt par left the world's best player hanging on.
"It seemed like I was over par for most of the day," Woods said later. "But I hung in there and I saw the guys were making a run at it, at me, and I just tried to keep hanging in there. ... And I hung in there and was able to make two big putts on 15 and 17 for birdies."
Those birdies helped bring the roars back to Woods, his round back to even-par 70 and, at 5-under 205, his lead back to four strokes going into today's final round. Garcia was in second place after a 3-under 67.
Mickelson, who also shot 67, and Jeff Maggert, who finished with a 68, were at even-par 210, five strokes behind. Harrington, who played with Woods yesterday and shot a 73, was at 1-over par. The 30-year-old Irishman was tied with Billy Mayfair and Robert Allenby of Australia.
While the final pairing of Woods and Garcia should make for some interesting theater here at the so-called "People's Open," just how intriguing the golf is remains to be seen. Woods has never relinquished a 54-hole lead in a major, winning seven times.
Asked last night if there was a difference between a two-stroke lead and a four-stroke lead going into the final round, Woods said, "Not when you're dealing with a major championship. You've still got to go out and get the job done."
It will mark the first time Garcia will play in the final group at a major. Three years ago in the PGA Championship at Medinah outside Chicago, Garcia made a run at Woods while playing in the group ahead of him before losing by a stroke.
"I get more intimidated by the four shots than by Tiger," said Garcia, 22. "I think that four shots, the way he's playing, is going to be difficult. But if I'm able to start well and put some pressure on him, you never know what's going to happen."
Their roles will be somewhat reversed from Medinah. Back then, for a variety of reasons, the crowd rooted against Woods and for Garcia. Because of the problems Garcia has had with the fans the past two days, the crowd likely will be pulling for Woods.
While Garcia tried to defuse the comments he made on Friday by writing an apologetic note to Woods -- Garcia had said that the USGA would have postponed the start of the rain-marred second round had Woods been in the afternoon group -- he has yet to patch things up with the fans.
"I don't think I've been that bad to the crowd," said Garcia, who made an angry gesture to the crowd on the 16th hole Friday and backed away from a shot there yesterday after getting razzed again. "It was rough out there. But I'm actually glad it happened.
"It made me mature a lot and it was good. I mean it was good to be in a major, contending in a major in the third round ... and to put everything on the side and concentrate on just playing golf, that's what I like to do. It was quite an experience."
Though they shook hands in the interview room last night as Garcia was leaving and Woods was about to start, neither expects to talk to the other much today.
"We're going to go out there and compete as hard as we possibly can," said Woods, 26. "Whether or not there will be a lot of talking, I really don't think so. We'll be focusing on what we need to get done, which is taking care of business."
Said Garcia: "It all depends on him. I hope so. I don't think he's a guy who likes to talk too much on a Sunday playing for a major, anyway. That's why we have a caddie, so we can talk to him."
Woods was doing a lot of talking yesterday, not only to caddie Steve Williams, but to himself. The approach shots that were landing close to the cup the previous two days were suddenly 30 to 40 feet away. The birdie putts that were dropping in bunches had dried up. He even missed two of the three putts when he needed to save par.
After three-putting from 40 feet for par on the par-5 13th hole, and missing a 10-footer for birdie on the par-3 14th, Woods hit his 6-iron approach on the par-4 15th to within 12 feet. He made the putt for birdie and angrily tossed his putter on his golf bag.
"I finally made a putt, you know?" Woods explained. "It was my way of saying to myself, 'Finally, I made my first birdie.' It took me 15 holes to make a birdie. I was proud of myself. I hung in there the entire round. I was kind of celebrating there a little bit that I finally got there. Now I've got three more holes and let's continue doing that."
Woods hit a poor putt on the par-4 16th hole, a 12-footer for birdie that didn't come close. On the par-3 17th, Woods nailed a 6-iron off the tee to within 8 feet. The roars swelled as Woods approached the green, quieted as he putted, and swelled again as the ball dropped in.
He was back to even par for the day.
He was four shots ahead.
He was again in perfect position to win another major, to pursue another Grand Slam, to possibly become the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1972 to win the Masters and the U.S. Open in the same year.
"It's dreams," said Woods, looking for his second Open championship. "This is what we dream about when we were little kids practicing out there and playing late in the evening, imagining yourself winning the U.S. Open, putting yourself against the best players."
Back then, it was quiet and empty and still.
Today, like yesterday, it will be noisy and crowded and crazy.
Just as the best player in the world wants it.
With the roars -- for him, not for others -- ringing in his ears.
U.S. Open
The leader ...
Tiger Woods 67-68-70--205 ... and selected followers
Sergio Garcia 68-74-67--209
Phil Mickelson 70-73-67--210
Jeff Maggert 69-73-68--210
Robert Allenby 74-70-67--211
Billy Mayfair 69-74-68--211
Padraig Harrington 70-68-73--211
Nick Faldo 70-76-66--212
Justin Leonard 73-71-68--212
Davis Love 71-71-72--214
Scott McCarron 72-72-70--214
K.J. Choi 69-73-73--215
Complete scores. [Page 12d]