Tiger Woods heads to this week’s PGA Championship a red hot favourite to end his five-year Majors drought after maintaining his stranglehold on the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

Woods heads to the last day and a likely eighth Akron success seven shots clear of his rivals after posting a third round 68 for a 15-under par tally.

The current World No. 1 will tee up on day four of $US 8.75m event with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (67) a distant second on eight under par and just a fortnight after Stenson was runner-up in The Open.

Woods said:  “Anytime you can into any tournament or any Major Championship with a win is always nice.

“It validates what you are working on and it gives you nice momentum going in there and hopefully I can seal the deal tomorrow and get ready for the PGA at Oak Hill.”

Tiger Woods takes a seven shot lead into the final round of the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)