Farmingdale: Sergio Garcia is on track for consecutive victories after the Spaniard took the outright lead at the Barclays tournament on Saturday, while Tiger Woods faltered slightly but remained inside the top 10.
Garcia, who won the Wyndham Championship on Monday, fired a two-under-par 69 to claim a two-shot cushion at 10-under 203 as the greens at Bethpage Black here reached treacherous speeds.
American Nick Watney, who had a three-shot lead in the middle of the third round, ended up with a 71 to hold second at eight-under 205.
Fellow-American Kevin Stadler was third at 206 after firing a blistering 65, easily the round of the day.
Woods, who can return to the world No. 1 spot with a victory, battled putting woes to post a 72, leaving him six off the pace at 209 in a tie for 10th.
He three-putted four separate greens for the first time in his PGA tour career after being unable to come to terms with the changing speed.
"I've never seen greens change like this, from what they were yesterday to today," Woods said."It's unbelievable how slippery they were.
"You put the putter down behind the golf ball and it was slipping on the grass. It's unbelievable how fast they got."
The 14-time Major winner lamented the mistakes but remained confident of a Sunday charge.
"I played the round I needed to play, unfortunately I didn't putt the way I needed to putt," he said."If you take the four three-putts away I'm right there in the ball game.