The Irish challengers at the USPGA Championship in Tulsa fell further off the pace today, well before leader Tiger Woods had even taken to the Southern Hills course.

Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley all moved backwards, Harrington the best placed of the three at eight-over but a massive 15 shots of Woods' lead.

Simon Dyson is the highest European on the leaderboard, the Englishman storming into a share of sixth place with a stunning round of 64.

Dyson started with a pair of birdies to start the round going — and he added birdies at the fourth and sixth to get to two over for the championship. A dropped shot followed at the tenth but three further birdies down the stretch moved him to level par.

At seven-under, Woods is three shots better than Stephen Ames. Woods and Ames were due to tee off together in the final pairing at 8pm Irish time.