Tiger Woods chases Bill Haas in California sun

Bill Haas held the halfway lead in the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines course near San Diego but strong moves by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had not gone unnoticed ahead of last night's third round in the California sun.

Haas hit eight birdies on the South Course for a six-under 66, giving him a two-shot lead over Anthony Kim.

"A nice 36 on the weekend could turn this into a great week," said Haas.

Mickelson was watched by his wife for the first time since she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2009 and turned his round with back-to-back birdies for a three-under 69 on the North Course.

That put Mickelson three shots behind the leader along with defending champion Ben Crane and John Daly, who also shot 69 on the North Course.

Woods was five behind after a 69 but found himself only trailing 11 players.

A run of four straight birdies early in his round when he was three off the lead was followed by a poor run which dropped him eight back.

Woods finished birdie, par, birdie to bring himself back into contention.