Though at times out of sync
– even losing a ball on No. 18 – Woods bounced back from a
disappointing first-round 73, carding a 3-under-par 68 to climb to
1-under for the tournament, and for now, out of danger of missing
the cut at a second straight tournament for the first time in his
storied career.
The potential of Tiger Woods missing the cut at the Frys.com Open loomed as the second round began Friday at CordeValle Golf Club.
Though at times out of sync – even losing a ball on No. 18 – Woods bounced back from a disappointing first-round 73, carding a 3-under-par 68 to climb to 1-under for the tournament, and for now, out of danger of missing the cut at a second straight tournament for the first time in his storied career.
As of 4 p.m. the projected cut was +1.
“The number was 64 today, that was kinda the goal,” Woods said. “I figured if I shot 64 I’d be somewhere between two and four back. That was the mindset going out, and I had it going early there.”
Woods had four birdies, three straight at one point, and one bogey through his first eight holes to get himself to 2-under. However, errant tee shots led to back-to-back bogeys as he made the turn on No. 18 and No. 1, sending Woods into the black at 1-over.
“I didn’t hit it as well as I did yesterday,” said Woods, who hit six of 14 fairways. “I made a couple mistakes there at 18 and 1, but overall I’m still within seven shots as of right now.”
In fact, he is tied for 38th with about three hours of golf left today, seven shots behind leader Paul Casey, who fired a 7-under 64, tying the course record.
“I remember a Trent Jones Jr. course in the UK, The Wizard,” Casey said of CordeValle’s designer. “It’s similar to that. But I’ve always liked his style, and I feel very comfortable on it. There’s plenty of room off the tee with the driver.”
The event’s main attraction – large galleries flocked to and followed Woods from the first tee on – birdied No. 2 before posting a string of six pars, including a crucial 20-footer to save par 3 on No. 7.
“I had one bad putt and that was it today, every other putt was on line,” Woods said. “I hit my lines all day, saw my line which was nice. I added two strips of lead to the bottom (of my putter) to add a little more weight to get the ball to the hole, and fixed my posture a little bit on the putter. When I did that I was able to see the line.”
Woods willed his way into the red numbers on the final hole of the afternoon, reaching the green on the long par-5 ninth with a 5-wood from 265 yards out, leaving himself a long eagle opportunity. Woods settled for the birdie.
Woods hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation Friday as opposed to nine of 18 on Thursday.
