Print this story | Email this story | Comment (No comments posted.) | Rate | - Text Size -

Woods bounces back with second-round 63 at Buick Open

AP Tiger Woods eyes his putt on the seventh hole during Friday's second round of the Buick Open at Warwick Hills in Grand Blanc Township Mich.

Published: Saturday, August 1, 2009 12:45 AM CDT
GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Tiger Woods shot a season-low 63 Friday in the second round of the Buick Open and soared up the leaderboard with his best round in relation to par in four years.

Poor putting led to an awful start the previous day in his first tournament since missing the cut at the British Open.

“I took advantage of driving on a string again,” he said. “I hit my irons a little better and I made some putts.”

In relation to par, it was his best round since he had an 11-under 61 at the 2005 Buick Open. Woods began that tournament with a 71 just as he did Thursday. His last 63 helped him repeat at the 2007 PGA Championship.

Woods was 6 under through five holes for the best five-hole start of his career.

Michael Letzig (65) had the clubhouse lead at 12 under.


“That probably won't be the lead at the end of the day,” Wood predicted.

Woods followed up what he called probably the worst putting day of his career with a good one, helping him go into the weekend at 10-under 134.

He teed off early Friday morning, hitting his first drive 342 yards straight into the blinding sun. He went on to a birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie tear to remove the remote chance he would miss the cut in consecutive events for the first time as a pro.

Woods had to break 70 on Friday to avoid putting himself in danger of missing the cut, but he said that possibility didn't enter his mind.

“I just wanted to get off to a quick start and take advantage of the holes you're supposed to take advantage of,” said Woods, who began the second round on the easier back nine at Warwick Hills. “I birdied a few more than I thought I would.”

When Woods got into trouble, his talent got him out of it.

At the par-5, 544-yard No. 13 - his fourth hole of the day - Woods' driver left him behind a huge maple tree.

“I could have just pitched out sideways and left myself probably a 7-iron or 8-iron in there,” he said. “I got a little bit aggressive.”

It worked out for Woods.

He cut a 5-iron around perhaps the biggest tree at Warwick Hills, chipped onto the green from 50 feet and made about a 10-foot putt for birdie.

Woods eagled the par-4, 340-yard No. 12, sandwiching a spectacular shot between his pair of birdies on his front nine. His drive left him about 40 yards to the hole and a chip shot bounced on the green and landed in the cup.

“It was kind of luck,” he said. “I hit it too hard, but somehow it caught the bottom.”

John Daly almost hit rock bottom with an 88, one shot off his career-high 89 that he had last year at the British Open, and ended the tournament 20-over 160.




pencil ad


Previous   Next
Speed trap   Tour stage-by-stage
 


Article Rating

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!Rate File:


Before commenting read the News Tribune Forum's policies and procedures.
Thanks.


To add your comments you must be registered and logged in

*Member ID:
*Password:
 

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

*First Name:
*Last Name:
Company:
*Home Phone:
Business Phone:
*Address:
*City:
*State:
*Zip Code:
 

Return to: Sports « | Home « | Top of Page ^


-
Sports Poll
Online Poll
How wise is it for the federal government to pay $2.5 million for ads promoting the U.S. Census during the Super Bowl? Related Story
Very Wise
Somewhat Wise
Neither Wise Nor Stupid
Somewhat Stupid
Very Stupid
Don't Know / No Opinion
View Results

Related Stories



Top Commented Stories (more)

Local Headlines

 


rss Available Feeds
rss iconRSS Political News
rss iconRSS Press Releases
rss iconRSS Local News
rss iconRSS State News
rss iconRSS Business
rss iconRSS Sports
rss iconRSS Entertainment
About RSS Feeds

Or follow us here-

twitterFacebook

 


Find out about our RSS feeds and what they are.
Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.
Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.