Golf: Former champion John Senden hit a course record equalling nine-under-par 63 to outshine Jason Day and a slumping Tiger Woods and take a one-shot lead after the third round of the Australian Open.

Overnight leader Woods, looking to revitalise his career after two years blighted by personal problems and injury, opened the day with three successive bogeys on his way to a 75.

Senden, who won his home Open in 2006, carded an eagle and seven birdies - the last with a brilliant 30-foot putt at the 18th - to stand on 12 under for the tournament.

Day, Australia's top ranked golfer at number seven in the world, celebrated his 24th birthday with a round of 68 to stand a shot further back in second place.

Greg Chalmers was third on 10 under after a 67, a shot better than compatriot Nick O'Hern (66) and American Nick Watney (68), who shared fourth.

The putter deserted Woods as he foraged for birdies to stay in touch with the leaders in the middle of his round and an errant drive at the 11th had him slashing at the ground in frustration.

A bogey at that hole and another at the 12th after a foray into a bunker were mitigated by a birdie at the 14th but he finished the day six shots off the pace in a share of eighth.

"I couldn't get any momentum," the 35-year-old Woods said. "Any time I hit the golf ball in there stiff, I'd miss it and it kept happening again and again.

"If I take care of the par fives, play the easy holes well and make a couple of putts it's a one-two under par round and it doesn't seem that bad, but I made nothing today. I hit a couple of bad shots out there ... 75s are never exciting."

Woods is not yet out of the running for his first title in two years but it was a big step backwards after his first blemish-free round in nine months on Thursday and his first overnight lead of the year on Friday.

"I need to play good solid front nine and get some momentum going on the back nine then hopefully I can put myself into position, then I'll be right there," Woods added.