- News>
- Golf
Woods closes in on lead in US Open
Illinois, June 14: Tiger Woods served an ominous warning to the rest of the U.S. Open field on Friday as the defending champion surged into contention with a four-under-par second round of 66.
Illinois, June 14: Tiger Woods served an ominous warning to the rest of the U.S. Open field on Friday as the defending champion surged into contention with a four-under-par second round of 66.
The American world number one, aiming for his third U.S. Open title in four years, was rewarded for his controlled aggression with six birdies at a benevolent Olympia Fields.
They helped move him to within touching distance of the lead, held jointly at seven under by compatriot Jim Furyk and Fijian Vijay Singh. But just as importantly for Woods, following an indifferent level-par opening round on Thursday, he began to show glimpses of his flair for the extraordinary at the south Chicago course.
"I feel pretty good ... Today I hit the ball a bit better and I'm right where I need to be," Woods said. "Any time you're under par at the U.S. Open after two days, you've still got a chance. I have to get the ball in play (over the weekend) and make a decision from there."
Although dropped shots at the fifth and 11th holes spoiled a potentially perfect day, he more than made up for it with excellent putting and improvisation, while the eight-times major winner looked in positive mood throughout. His score was aided by the softer greens, another overcast day and a lack of wind.
"If this golf course was baked out (by the sun), you wouldn't see these scores ... you probably wouldn't see the guys at the top that you're seeing," Woods said.
"The tournament has also been fairer than we've seen in the past with the set-up. It's not as severe ... But if you get too aggressive and make a couple of bogeys, you put yourself right out of it."
Woods's opening birdie, on the 576-yard par-five first hole, seemed unfeasible after his tee shot missed the fairway on the right and had spectators ducking for cover. But after a superb recovery to the green, Woods holed an 18-foot putt for a four -- a hint that the problems which dogged his short game in the opening round appeared to have been overcome.
Confirmation came three holes later on the par-three fourth, when he delighted the galleries with a stunning 30-foot putt. A rare aberration followed immediately, dropping a shot on the par-four fifth when his approach wickedly spun back and the 27-year-old failed to putt for par.
He quickly made amends with a birdie on the 555-yard par-five sixth hole, helped by an inspired three wood over and around trees with the pin hidden away. He complemented that by connecting with, in his own words, his "best iron shot of the week" to precipitate another easy gain on the ninth to go three under.
Despite falling back again with a bogey at the 11th -- when a poor approach left him with too much to do -- he soon regained his poise. A birdie at the 13th, made possible by watertight driving and iron play, was the result and, after two more pars at the 14th and 15th, he produced a strong finale.
He climbed to four under after picking up a shot at the 16th and he came close to making it five under at the 18th. His pitch to the pin looked for all the world a gem, before the ball span back to the fringe. Even then, Woods came within inches of sinking a 15-foot chip and run for a birdie.
He was forced to settle for par but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of his fans or Woods himself, who walked off with a contented smile to prepare for a weekend assault on the coveted title.
Bureau Report
The American world number one, aiming for his third U.S. Open title in four years, was rewarded for his controlled aggression with six birdies at a benevolent Olympia Fields.
They helped move him to within touching distance of the lead, held jointly at seven under by compatriot Jim Furyk and Fijian Vijay Singh. But just as importantly for Woods, following an indifferent level-par opening round on Thursday, he began to show glimpses of his flair for the extraordinary at the south Chicago course.
"I feel pretty good ... Today I hit the ball a bit better and I'm right where I need to be," Woods said. "Any time you're under par at the U.S. Open after two days, you've still got a chance. I have to get the ball in play (over the weekend) and make a decision from there."
Although dropped shots at the fifth and 11th holes spoiled a potentially perfect day, he more than made up for it with excellent putting and improvisation, while the eight-times major winner looked in positive mood throughout. His score was aided by the softer greens, another overcast day and a lack of wind.
"If this golf course was baked out (by the sun), you wouldn't see these scores ... you probably wouldn't see the guys at the top that you're seeing," Woods said.
"The tournament has also been fairer than we've seen in the past with the set-up. It's not as severe ... But if you get too aggressive and make a couple of bogeys, you put yourself right out of it."
Woods's opening birdie, on the 576-yard par-five first hole, seemed unfeasible after his tee shot missed the fairway on the right and had spectators ducking for cover. But after a superb recovery to the green, Woods holed an 18-foot putt for a four -- a hint that the problems which dogged his short game in the opening round appeared to have been overcome.
Confirmation came three holes later on the par-three fourth, when he delighted the galleries with a stunning 30-foot putt. A rare aberration followed immediately, dropping a shot on the par-four fifth when his approach wickedly spun back and the 27-year-old failed to putt for par.
He quickly made amends with a birdie on the 555-yard par-five sixth hole, helped by an inspired three wood over and around trees with the pin hidden away. He complemented that by connecting with, in his own words, his "best iron shot of the week" to precipitate another easy gain on the ninth to go three under.
Despite falling back again with a bogey at the 11th -- when a poor approach left him with too much to do -- he soon regained his poise. A birdie at the 13th, made possible by watertight driving and iron play, was the result and, after two more pars at the 14th and 15th, he produced a strong finale.
He climbed to four under after picking up a shot at the 16th and he came close to making it five under at the 18th. His pitch to the pin looked for all the world a gem, before the ball span back to the fringe. Even then, Woods came within inches of sinking a 15-foot chip and run for a birdie.
He was forced to settle for par but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of his fans or Woods himself, who walked off with a contented smile to prepare for a weekend assault on the coveted title.
Bureau Report