GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Jason Gore is in position for another late-season success story.
Gore used a strong finishing stretch on Saturday to post an 8-under-par 62 and grab the lead from Tiger Woods in the third round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club.
Gore often puts together better results late in the season, something that he said is difficult to explain.
"Maybe I'm a slow learner," said Gore, who has known Woods since their days playing junior golf in Southern California. "I don't know. I've always done that. Maybe I just bring up my focus. I wish I had a better answer, but maybe I just start to bear down a little bit and focus and maybe I just stink early.
" ... My approach today was to hit my first tee shot, go find it and hit it again. I wish I had a better explanation for the way I played today, but I just went out and played golf. I didn't worry about where I was in the FedEx Cup standings or anything else.
"The greens were fast, really rolling well. I made some putts early and just went from there."
Gore, whose only PGA Tour victory came in the 2005 84 Lumber Classic, sat at 15 under, two strokes ahead of Woods, Jonas Blixt of Sweden, who also shot 62, and Scott Brown, who had a 66.
Woods lipped out a six-foot par putt on the 18th hole, souring a round of 68. That kept him out of the final twosome on Sunday with Gore.
"It was a grind," said Woods, who must at least finish second to have a chance to qualify for the Barclays, the FedEx Cup playoffs opener next week.
"I kept leaving myself in tough spots above the hole. ... I had to putt too defensively because of it."
Gore had birdies on four of his final seven holes to take the lead.
"I like that there are scoring opportunities, but you have to hit good shots to do it," he said.
Woods, who had the tournament lead outright for the first time when he birdied the first hole of the third round, will be in the second-to-last pairing when he tees off Sunday.
Gore said he has known Woods since about age 12.
"I'm probably the biggest Tiger Woods fan ever," Gore said. " ... I think it's awesome to see him playing well again, to see him playing like Tiger Woods, because that's what we all want to see."
Blixt climbed 30 spots up the leaderboard with his 62 and reserved a spot with Gore in the final pairing Sunday. Brown will play with Woods.
"If I can keep the same mindset, I think I'm in a very good spot," Blixt said.
Record crowds have been on hand as Woods attempts to put a positive spin on a season that has been disappointing.
"I'm having a good time," Woods said. "It helps to play better and the atmosphere is incredible. The people are so nice and supportive. It's just a lot of fun to play in front of them."
Earlier in the third round, Woods was in danger of dropping from the lead on No. 10, but his par-saving putt of about 16 feet kept him among the leaders. He was within one stroke of Gore after a birdie on No. 16.
Gore surged into the lead with his strong back nine.
Woods, who had scores of 64 and 65 in the first two rounds, has won all previous PGA Tour events when he has started with two rounds of 65 or better.
Tom Hoge, who shared the 36-hole lead as he played alongside Woods, shot 72 on Saturday and slipped to a tie for 21st.
Webb Simpson, who won the 2011 Wyndham, carded a 64 and was three shots back in a tie for fifth with Brandt Snedeker (67), who won the tournament in 2007, Jim Herman (66), Paul Casey (66) of England and Cameron Percy (67) of Australia.
Carl Pettersson of Sweden, who won the tournament in 2008, was the only golfer in the field without a bogey this week until the par-4 ninth, where his second shot was long. His chip back idled short of the green and he had to scramble for bogey.
Pettersson responded with birdies on the next three holes. He ended up with 68, sitting in a tie for 10th place four strokes back.
NOTES: Erik Compton, a co-leader after the first round, withdrew Saturday citing a foot injury. He had dropped to 42nd place after a second-round 74. ... Sunday's round marks the last round to determine the 125-golfer field for FedEx Cup playoffs. Charl Schwartzel was the ultimate bubble golfer with a No. 125 ranking entering the tournament. He was in good shape at 11 under and tied for 10th place through three rounds. ... Three of the eight previous FedEx Cup champions have played in this tournament the week preceding the playoffs.
