SAN DIEGO — Break out the umbrellas for rain, and the white flags for Tiger Woods.

Winning the Buick Invitational became a matter of when — not who — after Woods put on a clinic yesterday by hitting 17 greens in regulation, building an eight-shot lead and hoping he doesn't have to wait until tomorrow to collect a fourth straight title at Torrey Pines.

"I'm in second place. I'm not really in contention," Stewart Cink conceded. "He's just hard to beat right now."

Woods finished off a 6-under 66 with a tap-in birdie on the par-5 18th, where his 3-iron landed on the bank guarding a pond but stopped short of going into the water. That put him at 18-under 198, tying the 54-hole tournament record set by Woody Blackburn in 1985.

Cink made a 35-foot eagle on the final hole for a 69 to trim the lead to eight.

Woods shattered the Buick Invitational record for largest 54-hole lead (five shots), and it was the largest on the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson led by eight shots at the BellSouth Classic in 2006.

This is a course Woods loves, but he has never dominated like this at Torrey Pines. Two years ago, he was in an eight-way tie for the lead with six holes to play. Last year, he had to rally from two shots behind in the final round.

"A lot more enjoyable," Woods said of his margin. "I'd like to have the biggest lead you can possibly have. You've still got to go out there and play well and post a number."

Joe Durant was among the deflated, having posted a 67 on the tough South Course only to lose ground. He was at 9-under 207.

Sunshine gave way to clouds late in the day, and the forecast today was for heavy rain that could wash out the final round. Players would have to return tomorrow if the course conditions and forecast allow.

Kevin Streelman, the 29-year-old rookie who was the last alternate to get into the Buick Invitational, played with Woods yesterday and shot a 75 that dropped him into a tie for 11th at 211.

Castle High alum Dean Wilson shot a 73 for 213, while Punahou alum Parker McLachlin also carded a 73 for 214.

QATAR MASTERS

DOHA, Qatar — Sweden's Johan Edfors shot a 3-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Scotland's Andrew Coltart after the third round of the Qatar Masters.

The 22-year-old Edfors had a 12-under 204 total. Coltart, the 1998 winner, shot a 65. Sweden's Henrik Stenson (67) and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (69) were at 206.