Sydney  - Tiger Woods was back to his old self Sunday, taking a two-shot lead on the front nine to take charge on the final round at the Australian Masters.

It could not have been more different from Saturday, where the world's best golfer got the jitters and squandered a three-stroke lead with an even-par 72.

Woods showed he had cast off the demons by starting the final day at Melbourne's tricky Kingston Heath course with a birdie and two pars.

With birdies on the fifth and sixth as well, the 14-time Major winner was back at the top of the leader board and it was the usual scenario of being chased rather than chasing.

Fading after leading at the halfway mark has blighted the American's game this year. He has led after 36 holes in his last four tournaments but gone on to win only two of them.

The dramatic reversal on the third round came after leading Australian internet betting company Sportsbet announced it would paying out on a Woods win, with Sportsbet chief executive Matthew Tripp saying "we think the Australian Masters is a foregone conclusion."

The tournament is back to the script, but Woods isn't out of the woods yet. (dpa)