History favors Woods as he goes for 15th major, but don’t overlook Harrington and others

It’s Tiger’s title to lose at PGA Championship

CHASKA, Minn. — It’s Tiger Woods’ title to lose at the PGA Championship.

Woods has a two-stroke lead, and he’s never lost a major when he’s in front going into the final round. Only once in his career has he lost any tournament when leading by two shots or more — and that was nine years ago. Woods, trying to win his first major of the year and 15th overall, is at 8-under.

But no one’s engraving the Wanamaker Trophy just yet.

Padraig Harrington, the defending champion and a three-time major winner, began the day tied for second with Y.E. Yang. Yang is in contention at a major for the first time, but he beat Woods by two shots to win the HSBC Champions in Shanghai three years ago.

Ernie Els is lurking at 5 strokes back, and Vijay Singh is making a move, going to 2 under through eight holes.

Heavy overnight rains have softened Hazeltine National’s greens, meaning low scores are possible. But the wind was gusting again, and rain is a possibility throughout the afternoon — Woods briefly put on a rain jacket when sprinkles fell while he was on the putting green before teeing off.

Woods had a chance to pad his lead on the first hole but couldn’t convert. He had his best drive since the opening round, landing on the first cut of fringe on the right side and his approach shot was textbook, rolling within 8 feet of the pin.

But his putt skirted the side of the cup and rolled about 2 feet past, forcing him to settle for par.

None of his closest challengers had made birdie on No. 1, either, though, keeping Woods’ lead intact.