AKRON, Ohio (Reuters) — With champion Tiger Woods far out of contention, fellow Americans Sean O'Hair and Ryan Palmer charged into a tie for the lead in Saturday's third round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

O'Hair fired a six-under-par 64 and Palmer a sparkling 63, the only two bogey-free scores of the day, as the pair edged one shot clear of a tightly bunched leaderboard at Firestone Country Club.

The American duo finished level at nine-under 201 with compatriot Matt Kuchar alone in third after carding a 66 on a soft layout vulnerable to low scoring. Thirty-five players in the field of 80 shot rounds in the 60s.

South African Ernie Els recorded a 64 to lie fourth at seven under along with Swede Peter Hanson (68) and American Justin Leonard (69) in the elite World Golf Championships event.

Woods, champion here last year but a shadow of his former dominant self this week, completed his round 2-1/2 hours before the leaders teed off, ending the day 20 strokes adrift.

The 14-times major winner struggled to a dismal 75 in ideal scoring conditions for an 11-over total of 221, the worst of his PGA Tour career relative to par.

''I drove it terrible, hit my irons terrible, didn't putt well and it added up to a lot.''

At one point on a sun-soaked afternoon, seven players were in a log-jam at the top and O'Hair, seeking his fourth PGA Tour title, predicted a birdie-fest in Sunday's final round.