After five years, golf awaits new No. 1

U.S. PGA champion Singh, the hottest player in the game over the last 14 months, is on track to win his sixth title of the season and 10th since January 2003.

After firing a three-under-par 68 on Sunday, he will take a three-shot lead over second-placed Woods into the Deutsche Bank Championship final round.

Providing added spice to the PGA Tour event8217;s finale is the fact that Singh and Woods have been paired together, setting up a gripping head-to-head with the world number one ranking on the line.

8220;I think it should be a lot of fun,8221; Woods, 28, told reporters after carding a third-round 69. 8220;To go out there and compete against Vijay, he8217;s been playing extremely well over the last couple of years and I think it would just be a blast to go out there and compete at that level.8221;

World No.2 Singh, who trailed Woods by just 0.18 in world ranking points going into the tournament, agreed. 8220;I8217;ve played with Tiger many a time and I enjoy playing with him,8221; said the 41-year-old Fijian.

At the start of last week, the position was clear-cut for Woods to retain the No.1 status he has held since August 15, 1999. The eight-times Major winner needed to finish in the top seven at the Deutsche Bank, and above Singh.

The Fijian, however, has not made things easy for Woods. Rounds of 68, 63 and 68 have put Singh in control at the top of the leaderboard and he is a strong Front-runner, having won the last eight tournaments he has led going into the final round.

For many observers, Singh has unquestionably been the game8217;s leading player for some time. He has won nine PGA Tour events over the last two years. Woods has won six.

At the end of last season, Singh ended Woods8217;s four-year reign as the PGA Tour8217;s leading money winner. He also leads the 2004 money list, with earnings of 6,989,566, and is on track to run away with the prestigious Player of the Year award. Reuters