After making par in the first two rounds of the tournament, the American knew he needed a massive day to pull himself into contention going into the final round.
And Woods delivered, backed by a significant crowd in Scotland who followed his every move up the back nine.
But the three-time Open champion did endure some tricky final holes.
His tee shot at the short 15th trickled off the side of the green causing his first dropped shot of the day.
But Woods admitted he was happy with his round overall.
“It seemed like everybody was shooting six, seven under and I figured I could probably do the same and I needed to with the leaders starting at six. I need to go get it,” he said after his lowest major round since the second day of the 2011 Masters.
“It’s one of my better rounds I’ve played.
“I felt I really had control of the ball. It kept me in the fight.
“If the guys get to 10 (under), five back is certainly do-able.”
Golf fans made their feeling known about Woods on social media.
One wrote: “TIGER WOODS TIED FOR THE LEAD AT A MAJOR IN 2018. YOU LOVE TO SEE IT.”
One said: “It may be for just a moment but it’s Saturday at a major and Tiger Woods is your co-leader. Let it be.”
Another tweeted: “Tiger Woods is back in the lead Saturday at a major. Would be the greatest sports comeback of all time if he wins Sunday.”
While one said: “Golf is so much better when Tiger Woods is relevant.”