CRAFTY MONTY REMAINS ON TARGET WOODS IN GROUP TWO STROKES BACK.

Byline: Dave Shelburne Staff Writer

THOUSAND OAKS - The European charge that has produced back-to-back wins in the Ryder Cup seems to be carrying over this week at Sherwood Country Club.

Colin Montgomerie, the leader of Europe's nine-point Ryder Cup victory in September, enters the final round of the Target World Challenge with a two-stroke lead over Tiger Woods, Jay Haas and Jim Furyk. Ryder Cup teammates Padraig Harrington and Miguel Jimenez are within four shots of the lead.

Montgomerie, looking nothing like a player who has fallen from 30th to 78th in the world rankings, secured at least a share of the lead for a third consecutive round with an eagle-birdie combination on the 537-yard, par-5 16th and 166-yard, par-3 17th.

``I needed it, because everything was sort of bubbling up behind me,'' said the 41-year-old Scot, whose third-round 67 left him at 13-under-par 200.

Woods (69), playing in the final twosome with Montgomerie, shot 2-under over his final three holes, as did Furyk (67). Harrington (67) was 3-under for his final four holes.

Jimenez did his streaking early, with three birdies in his first five holes in a round of 66 that was best of the day and tied the tournament's low round.

It was the latest in a season of good outings for Jimenez, who has improved from 112th to 12th in the world rankings, winning five times in 2004.

``You never know when you are going to win,'' he said. ``'It's tough to win one tournament. Two, maybe three tournaments, I don't know. But five tournaments - thank you very much.''

Jimenez wasn't sure why he has enjoyed this breakthrough year. Nor was he too much concerned with the why part. He's just enjoying it.

``The only thing I'm doing is just be happy on the golf course and enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself. You need a wedge to the hole - even if it's disappointing, just be happy. The golf, it is either half-full or half-empty.''

Haas shares pretty much the same attitude about his strong 2004 season, in which he qualified to play on the 50-and-over Champions Tour and was a captain's choice to play on the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

``I've enjoyed doing this,'' said Haas, who has been sharp at both ends of his 28th PGA Tour season, finishing third in his season-opening Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and starting this week 69-66-67. He also played three Champions Tour events and placed in the top three in two majors, finishing second in the Senior PGA and sharing third in the U.S. Senior Open.

``I guess I don't feel like it's been luck,'' Haas said. ``I've worked hard; I've continued to work hard at it.''

Woods had to work hard to offset a scratchy start that produced two bogeys and a double bogey in his first three holes Saturday. He responded by going 5-under over his final 15 holes.

``Good comeback (for Woods) today because he got off to an awful start for him,'' Montgomerie said. ``Of course, he's not out of it either. Jay Haas, Jim Furyk or Tiger - one of the three guys behind me at 11-under, one of those three are going to score low (in the final round). I've got to counteract by scoring as low, if not lower, myself.''

Woods praised Montgomerie for ``playing well. He's been playing that way for awhile now, so nothing new.''

Woods said it would be nice to have a victory to springboard into next year, especially after struggling through a 2004 PGA Tour season in which he won just once while attempting to make a swing change.

He took his shaky Saturday start in stride, able to laugh later about a missed 18-inch putt.

``I figure I got that out of the way, so I should be all right,'' he said.

If last year's Target final round is any indication, Woods is in outstanding shape at just two strokes off the pace. He trailed leader Davis Love III by 10 strokes in the final round last year at Sherwood, then cut that deficit to one stroke before Love prevailed to win his second Target title by two shots.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Tiger Woods hits from a sand trap at No. 3 Saturday en route to a 69 in the third round of the Target World Challenge.

(2) Colin Montgomerie, putting at No. 5, holds a two-stroke lead on three challengers at Sherwood.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) TARGET WORLD CHALLENGE