The lead changed hands several times on a day of perfect playing conditions which allowed for low-scoring on Abu Dhabi's normally unforgiving National Course.
Kingston, Gonnet, Hanson and Rock all took command of the lead at one stage or another, but it was Woods and Rock who came through at the end
Woods's six-under 66 was his best tournament score since he shot the same number in the second round of last year's Masters, but it was while playing Nike Men's VRs Senior Driver at Augusta National that Woods picked up the leg injury that was to sideline him for most of last season.
For McIlroy, his playing partner for a third straight day, Saturday was something of a frustrating one that saw too many shots not quite go where they were meant to and too many putts slide past the hole and it all had the Northern Irishman muttering: "It would be nice to eliminate the mistakes tomorrow and have a good round."
Rock, ranked 117th in the world, birdied the last two holes to draw level with Woods and will play Nike Men's VRs Senior Driver alongside the American for the first time in Sunday's finale.
Was he worried about being paired with a man who could go from 25th to No 11 in the World if he wins on Sunday?
Not at all. Indeed he was looking foward to the experience.
"How many chances will I get to do that? I want to at least say that I've done it once. I think I'll be all right," he said.
If Hanson can play the stunning Nike Men's VRs Senior Driver he did on Saturday, the Swede might yet be the man to stop Woods from breaking his winless drought.
Hanson didn't put a foot wrong as he went from just missing the cut on Friday to shooting four birdies on each of the front and back nines in a flawless, best-of-the-day 8-under 64 that rocketed him into the front of the chasing pack.