Tiger Woods never liked tournaments where birdies were required simply to keep up. He managed just fine yesterday at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, where a 6-under 64 only allowed him to keep his three-shot margin at the pushover known as East Lake Golf Club.

Even after a week of low scoring because of soft, slow greens, the third round was mystifying.

"I can't remember too many golf courses that have been easier than this one," he said after missing a 7-foot birdie on the final hole to settle for a 19-under 191 and a three-shot lead over Calcavecchia.

Zach Johnson flirted with a 59 until he hit into a bunker on the par-3 18th hole and had to settle for a par and a course-record 60. Mark Calcavecchia shot a 63 and only picked up one shot on the world's No. 1 player.

Woods was watching and laughing from the par-5 15th fairway as Calcavecchia made eagle to join him atop the leader board, but that didn't last long. Woods birdied his next two holes, and missed a 7-foot birdie on the final hole.

It was the lowest 54-hole start in Woods career, and it left him poised to win at East Lake for the first time. Woods has never lost a professional tournament when leading by more than one shot going into the final round.

As for the FedEx Cup?

Phil Mickelson still has a mathematical chance, but the odds are about the same as winning the lottery without buying a ticket. His only hope was winning the Tour Championship and having Woods finish lower than second by himself. Mickelson shot 70 and was 13 shots behind.

Other tournaments

Solheim Cup: Another day ended at the Solheim Cup in Halmstad, Sweden, and the Americans still had the lead. Yet for the second day in a row, it felt as though the Europeans were leaving with the better chance to win. Led by Suzann Pettersen, Europe overcame windy, frigid weather and late deficits to once again earn ties in two of four matches that had looked decidedly lost. That helped the Europeans split the four points in the morning's foursome matches and enter the afternoon fourball trailing, 6 1/2-5 1/2. And when those fourball matches were suspended by darkness, Europe led in three matches and was even in the other.

Greater Hickory Classic: R.W. Eaks broke one tournament record and tied another to take a three-stroke lead over Rod Spittle after the second round in Conover, N.C. Eaks ended a long day with a second-round 66 for a 15-under 129 total, shattering the event record by three strokes and finishing one shot shy of the Champions Tour's best 36-hole score this season. Eaks tied the tournament record with an 9-under 63 earlier yesterday to finish the rain-delayed opening round. Spittle had rounds of 68 and 64.

Mercedes-Benz Championship: Denmark's Thomas Bjorn shot a 6-under 66 for a share of the third-round lead at 204 with countryman Soren Hansen (71) in Pulheim, Germany.FedEx Cup