US PGA Championship leader Brooks Koepka finished his front nine with a trio of birdies to retain a two-shot advantage, with Tiger Woods three strokes back as he bids for a 15th major title.
Koepka picked up a shot at the first and though he bogeyed four and five, birdies at seven, eight and nine ensured he reached the turn at -14 for the tournament.
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That was two better than his compatriot Justin Thomas and Belgian Thomas Pieters, who was six under for the day through 16 holes.
Woods was a further shot back at 11 under having reached the turn in 32.
He started with birdies at two and three and though he dropped a shot at six, further gains at eight and nine kept him on Koepka's tail.
However, none of Wood's previous 14 major victories have come when he has trailed through 54 holes.
