After an eight-month break, Woods thankfully returned to the sport in February, fully rehabilitated. He was victorious at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill two weeks ago.Tiger Woods defied the critics toPing Anser Forged Irons revive his bid for a fifth Masters title with a blistering back nine that set him up to card a second-round 6-under 66 at tricky Augusta National.
Although Woods is the overwhelming favorite to win a fifth green jacket at Augusta National—one win away from Jack Nicklaus's record—he has a few obstacles in his way, including a trio of brilliant teenagers: 19-year-old Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, 18-year-old Danny Lee of New Zealand, and 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa of Japan.
These young'uns—teeing off in their first Masters today—were just learning how to spell when Tiger was signing $40 million endorsement deals with Nike. But their fight to become the next Tiger looks promising.The 35-year-old, who opened with a scrappy 71, gave little indication of what was to follow he wiped out two birdies with three bogeys over an erratic first seven holes. But then he ignited his charge with three straight birdies from the eighth as he suddenly found rhythm and unerring accuracy Honma BERES MG802 Iron Set with his irons.
After a critical par-saving putt at 11, the World No 7 kept his momentum flowing with further birdies at 13, 14 and 15, and he then converted another pin-seeking approach at the last to move within three of Rory McIlroy on seven under.
"I'm three back. I'm right where I need to be," said Woods. "Hopefully on Saturday I can piece together another good round, stay patient and plod my way along.
"I don't know what happened. I just kept staying patient. That was all I kept trying to do. I pieced together a couple of birdies and got hot.
"I'm just trying to put myself in the mix come Sunday. It's irrelevant who is there. My whole job is to get myself there with a chance with nine holes to go.
|
Friends
