JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Paul Goydos figured Liberty National at least would look good on television, with the Statue of Liberty and so many other New York landmarks serving as a spectacular backdrop at The Barclays.

Inside the ropes is starting to look pretty good to him, too.

Goydos put together three straight birdies early in the third round yesterday to build a lead that stood up until Steve Marino ran off three straight late on the cloudy afternoon to catch him for the lead. Both shot 3-under 68 and were at 9-under 204.

As for those beauty shots?

"I haven't been watching," Goydos said. "Thankfully, I've been playing well and I've been on TV."

That might not make him the star attraction today.

Goydos has only two victories in his 17 years on the PGA Tour. Marino made his debut as a PGA Tour rookie in 2007 at the last tournament Goydos won (Sony Open in Hawai'i) and is still looking for his first victory.

The focus shifted behind them on a day of light rain that didn't last long. Suddenly lurking is Tiger Woods, who suggested the players used "ladies' tees" yesterday even though he remained confounded by the putting surfaces. Woods shot a 67 that put him within five shots of the leaders.

Asked if he would be looking over his shoulder, the droll Goydos kept it all in perspective, as always.

"First of all, he's going to be in front of me, not behind me," he said. "So I'll be looking straight ahead."

This is the opening event of the four-tournament PGA Tour Playoffs for the FedEx Cup.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

McNulty, Roberts share lead: Mark McNulty went to the range after the first round of the Boeing Classic to try to figure out how a sizzling first nine holes got away from him.

McNulty didn't make the same mistake in yesterday's second round. McNulty shot a 7-under 65 and shares the lead heading to today's final round at Snoqualmie, Wash.

Loren Roberts had four birdies in his final six holes to match McNulty's 65 and finish at 11 under 133. The duo holds a two-shot lead over Bernhard Langer (66) and first-round leader Mark O'Meara (69).

McNulty was 4 under on his first nine holes yesterday, then made another four birdies on the back.