BETHESDA, USA (AFP) — Zimbabwe's Brendan de Jonge seized a one-stroke lead by posting his second consecutive two-under

69 on Saturday in the

third round of the storm-hit ATT National.

De Jonge birdied three holes but hardly anyone witnessed it in person at the Congressional Country Club after spectators were told to stay away because of a severe storm that struck the area overnight.

De Jonge said playing without spectators seemed odd at the start, but then once they got going, it was all about managing your golf game.

"At first, it was definitely very strange," he said. "Then we kind of got used to it. Just the no buzz. It was hard to get the adrenaline going, kind of felt like you were playing a Tuesday practice round or

a qualifier."

Tiger Woods carded a

four-under 67 to climb into a share of second place at

minus-six. He is tied with

first-round leader Bo Van Pelt (67) and South Korea's Noh Seung-yul (69).

Woods moved to within one shot of the lead with four birdies on his first 10 holes.

De Jonge, who is chasing his first USPGA Tour title, finished 54 holes at seven-under 206.

Second-round leader Hunter Mahan stumbled to a two-over 73. He finished three rounds tied with fellow American Billy Hurley (66) at five-under-par 208. Jhonattan Vegas (68) is one stroke back at four-under.

Tournament officials said they hope to have most of the downed trees removed by in time for today's final round.