ATLANTA — Winning the $10 million for the FedEx Cup remains a long shot for Kenny Perry. Winning the Tour Championship became a far greater possibility after his 6-under 64 to take a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods.

Perry birdied his opening four holes yesterday to quickly catch up to Woods, then kept bogeys off his card the rest of the way at East Lake to give himself a shot at his third victory this year.

"Four birdies in a row puts you in a good mood is all I can say," said Perry, who was at 8-under 202. "That set the tone for the day."

Perry will be in the last pairing with Woods, who missed plenty of birdie opportunities and had to settle for a 69 and 204 total.

For Perry to win the FedEx Cup, he would need to win the Tour Championship and have Woods finish in a three-way tie for third.

Phil Mickelson fired a 4-under 66 and was at 4-under 206 along with Sean O'Hair (70).

ELSEWHERE

CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge: Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa birdied five of her last seven holes for a 7-under 65 yesterday and a 16-under 200 total to share the lead with Sophie Gustafson (66) after the third round of the CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge at Danville, Calif.

SAS Championship: Tom Pernice Jr. moved into position to become the 15th player to win his Champions Tour debut, shooting his second bogey-free 5-under 67 to take a one-shot lead in the SAS Championship at Cary, N.C.