Tiger Woods abused his surgically repaired left knee in the Masters Tournament's third round. He spent much of Saturday afternoon slapping it, leaning on it and using it to kick the air in frustration. His knee, which he had surgery on last summer after his U.S. Open win, held up under the onslaught. His psyche did not.

Tiger Woods walks up the No. 1 fairway during the third round of the Masters . In pursuit of a fifth green jacket, Woods shot 2-under-par 70 and opens today's final round seven shots off the lead. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

Woods shot 2-under-par 70 and heads into today's final round seven shots off the lead.

"Today was as hard as I have ever fought to get a score out of it," he said. "I just wasn't comfortable for some reason, so hopefully tomorrow I will have it."

Even if he is in top form, Woods faces tall odds. Co-leaders Angel Cabrera and Kenny Perry are veterans intent on winning their first Masters. Cabrera has already stared down Woods under major championship pressure, defeating him at the 2007 U.S. Open.

History shows Woods is a long shot: He has never come from behind in the final 18 holes to win a major.

Woods reacts to a missed putt for birdie on No. 4. He carded five birdies for the round and a double bogey 6 on the first hole. He tied for last in the field in fairways hit. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

Woods refused to rule himself out. The leaders were at 11-under but still in Amen Corner when Woods left the course.

Asked for a target score for today, he shrugged.

"It depends," he said. "If they go any lower, it's going to be hard for us to get them."

Phil Mickelson, who came in 20 minutes later than Woods and is tied with him at 4-under-par, predicted he needs a score of 64 or 65 to get into contention.

Woods' lowest score in 57 career Masters rounds is 65. His lowest in a final round: 68. Still, he sees mid-60s potential in his game. He shot 70 on Saturday despite tying for last in the field in fairways hit, eight.

"I was not as precise as I wanted to be," Woods said. "It seemed like I was one yard off, two yards off, or else missing it on the wrong side."

Woods still showed his creativity. He saved par at No. 2 by kneeling -- more knee abuse -- and slapping a shot out of the trees. He birdied the next hole to get back under par, and shaved three more strokes over the next 15 holes.