NORTON, Sept 6: Fiji's Vijay Singh took a step closer to gaining the world number one ranking by extending his lead to three shots over Tiger Woods in Sunday's third round of the $5 million Deutsche Bank Championship.

After shooting an eight-under-par 63 on Saturday, Singh tied the lowest round of the day with a three-under-par 68 to move to 14-under 199. Woods shot a two-under-par 69 to slip a shot further back from Singh, who if he wins on Monday will take over from the American as world number one and move past the $7 million mark for earnings this year, eclipsing his 2003 total of $7,573,907 - his best year on the PGA Tour.

A victory would also virtually sew up the Player of the Year award for the US PGA champion who has five Tour victories this season. Bill Haas shot an even-par 71 to stay in the hunt at nine-under-par and third overall while Japan's Shigeki Maruyama also shot an even-par 71 and is six shots behind Singh in fourth.

Jay Williamson and defending champion Adam Scott are tied for fifth at seven-under-par, while first round co-leader Ryan Palmer dropped to ninth place at five-under-par after shooting 74. Singh sank three birdies to make the turn at three-under-par 33, but had to wait until the final hole for his next birdie.

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES: