Tiger Woods is back for real it seems.
On the basis of what we’ve seen over the first two rounds of the Honda Classic, this Tiger Woods comeback is not a false dawn.
The 14-time Major winner failed to produce anything spectacular at the Genesis Open last week, but by conjuring up a healthy dose of that legendary competitive spirit, has catapulted himself into contention at the PGA National’s Champion Course in Florida.
Woods carded a second-round 71 to sit at +1 for the tournament, just four shots off the lead currently co-held by Jamie Lovemark and Luke List.
“Well, I’m right there in the ballgame,” Woods said after negotiating another tough day on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. “I feel like I’m right there. I’m right where I can win a golf tournament.
“You know, four back on this golf course with 36 holes to go … anybody can win this golf tournament right now. It’s wide open.”
Watch. Listen. 🔊⬆️
Tiger's tee shots.
All 18 of them from Friday. pic.twitter.com/Yv5T7EAKPx
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 24, 2018
Woods is in the running, for sure, and while England’s Tommy Fleetwood is just one back, the Irish contingent were stinking Palm Beach Gardens out, getting caught in the course’s Bear Trap and generally shooting their way towards a weekend off.
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, at +4 and +5 respectively, just about made the cut but it wasn’t good news for fans of Padraig Harrington, the three-time Major champion signing for a second consecutive 76 for a +12 total. Seamus Power didn’t fare much better, a 151 total over the first two days leaving him at +11 and looking on to the next event.
Graeme McDowell, who played well before a Sunday collapse at last week’s Genesis Open, had two double bogeys in his round 77 and the Portrush man will pack his bags along with Harrington and Power.
While the Irish lads weren’t much cop, it’ll be interesting to see how Woods progresses over the next two days as he looks to re-establish himself in the game following a lengthy layoff. He certainly seems to be on an upward curve at the moment, but will it stick?
