PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Stewart Cink's fortunes turned quickly in a vicious wind that never went away today, running off three straight birdies for a 2-under 68 in the PODS Championship that likely puts him in the final group for the third time this year.

Even better, Tiger Woods has the week off.

Cink went from a four-shot deficit to a two-shot lead in a span of five holes, and despite 30 mph wind and temperatures that plunged into the 50s, he didn't make a bogey until his final hole in near darkness when he came up short of the 18th green.

Even so, he was at 5-under 208 and was two shots clear of former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, who also had a 69.

Cink played in the final group in the Buick Invitational, albeit eight shots behind Woods. The four-time PGA Tour winner also reached the final match of the Accenture Match Play Championship, where Woods beat him 8 and 7.

Cink doesn't have the 54-hole lead quite yet.

Brandt Snedeker, who birdied his last hole in the morning to finish the second round with a one-shot lead, stretched that margin to four shots with a birdie on the seventh hole, and he had a 12-foot birdie putt on the eighth.

But he three-putted for bogey, and his momentum was gone. He dropped three more shots over the next five holes. Snedeker was 3 under and in the 16th fairway when the third round was suspended by darkness.

Billy Mayfair also was 3 under and on the 16th hole. Four other players failed to finish the third round and will return Sunday morning, hopeful the wind isn't bending 50-foot pines the way it did throughout Saturday, perhaps the toughest day of golf this year.

"I'm disappointed with two three-putts on the par 3s. They were both stupid, bone-headed mistakes, but those are going to happen," Mayfair said. "You've got to be patient."