Tiger Woods can't contend at the Masters … wrong!
After his adventurous opening round, Woods found magic in his bag on Friday. Warding off a mind-blowing disaster, Woods will play four rounds at Augusta National Golf Club this week.
"I was at a pretty low point in my career" @TigerWoods on recent struggles. Seems happy with today though #TigerWoods pic.twitter.com/udF76JJHJQ
— Golfing World (@Golfingworldtv) April 10, 2015His Friday is a cause for celebration, save among diehard Tiger haters. Woods finishes 36 holes at 2 under for the tournament, 3 under for the day and tied for 18th place. While his position will change, this will not — Tiger showed great improvement in his game, with his confidence rising, his shots less erratic and his problematic short game under control.
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Tiger Woods, unrealistic as ever: ``I'm still right there. I'm 12 back, but there's not a lot of guys ahead of me''
— Tim Dahlberg (@timdahlberg) April 10, 2015Jordan Spieth continues to blow through Augusta like a spring breeze. He followed a near-record first-round 64 with a 66 and a record 130. He is 14 under.
Jordan Spieth just shot the best 36 holes in the history of #TheMasters . pic.twitter.com/avlytf59mA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 10, 2015 Spieth's closest competitor is Charley Hoffman, whose surprising first round is being followed by dulpicate. Hoffman was 10 under after 15 holes on Friday. Next? Ernie Els at 5 under.
Imagine being 21 and be ahead of Tiger Woods 12 strokes...
— Quincy Goode (@LifeIsGoode_) April 10, 2015Not only did Woods play his most competitive golf in months, but he at least for one day achieved vindication. Woods had said he spent time working on his game, strengthening his surgically repaired back and finding the skills that made him No. 1 in world golf rankings.
Woods' challenge? Finish Friday among the top 50, including ties, or within 10 strokes of the lead. Done.
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the famous @TigerWoods @TheMasters chip-in on No. 16: http://t.co/jTB2Uh3kdF pic.twitter.com/9OwuY5izzh
— PGA.COM (@PGA_com) April 10, 2015 Thursday, he was a self-described "dumbass." Friday, he was Tiger Woods. Not the world-beater Woods, but the solid veteran Tiger.
Yips, the mysterious affliction that turns the best professionals into duffers, weren't on display. Errant drives, which created video-game and cartoonist shot problems to solve, were gone.
And the short game?
“It's my strength again," Woods told media members on Thursday, although few believed. "That's why I've busted my butt. That's why I took time off. That's why I hit thousands and thousands of shots to make sure that it's back to being my strength.”
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Here's Tiger's turnaround Friday:
No. 1: After having a shot at a birdie, Woods pars.
My observations for the @TheMasters as I put on my golf hat... @TigerWoods is back to wearing more classic golf shoes.
— Darren R Pang (@Panger40) April 10, 2015 No. 2: A second good drive is followed by an approach shot into a bunker. He two-putts for par.
No. 3: A bit of an adventure with his drive, and a birdie putt stops short. Par again.
No. 4: A bogey here on Thursday, a par on Friday. Well played.
Tiger's mediocre play overshadowed the tournament Thursday, but now that he's playing well, there's a better story to talk about.
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) April 10, 2015 No. 5: A bit dicey on the drive, but Woods' short games keeps working. Par again.
No. 6: First bogey of the day, it comes on a tap-in after his par putt doesn't fall.
No. 7: Another solid drive, and this time Woods is rewarded with a birdie. It takes a long putt, but he gets back to even on the round.
No. 8: A par-5, and Woods unloads a drive of more than 300 yards. Woods chips with a chance for an eagle, and steps off with a birdie to go even for the tournament.
Tiger Woods is in red numbers after a birdie on 8. Woods is -1, 11 strokes behind Jordan Spieth. #Masters pic.twitter.com/eHcbgCIJmf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 10, 2015 No. 9: After flirting with the trees, Woods pars to make the turn even.
No. 10: Further evidence that Woods is gaining confidence and hitting well. But with a chance for a birdie, he two-putts for par.
No. 11: Woods sets up his approach with a massive drive, puts his approach shot to within five feet of the hole and shows perfect touch for a birdie.
Must-See: @TigerWoods makes birdie on 11 after wild tee shot at @TheMasters . Watch here: http://t.co/dmS9k9mphX pic.twitter.com/smGkePCdD9
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 10, 2015 No. 12: No problem off the tee on this water hole. A 30-foot putt is short, but a par works.
No. 13: A par-5, a second shot from the woods and a chance to birdie. Settling for par keeps Woods at 2 under.
No. 14: Another good drive. Another good approach. Another par, thanks to an 8-foot putt.
@chambleebrandel How's that 'catastrophic short game'? my TV isn't working, all @TigerWoods short shots appear to finish close to the hole.
— Mitch Burke (@TheApartment) April 10, 2015 No. 15: There's confidence for you: Woods goes for a possible eagle but blows his approach shot well past the green. No luck on a birdie putt, down for par.
No. 16: A par-3, Redbud nearly yields a red number. Woods atones for an OK drive with a chip shot that stops tantalizingly shot. Par.
No. 17: Flirting with his second bogey of the day, Woods drains a long par putt.
No. 18: We will see Woods all weekend. He takes a crack at a birdie again, settles for a par and completes his best, and certainly most satisfying round of golf of the year.