Woods shines, is at tied fifth; Hoffman takes lead

leaderboard after 27 holes in the second round.

Is it for real? Is Tiger back to his best?

There are still two days for all the answers to come through, but for once just sit back and enjoy the vintage Woods. At the end of the day, Woods was tied fifth at seven-under 137 (69, 68), five shots adrift of surprise leader Charley Hoffman.

The world no. 1,199 led the field of 18 at one stage and the bare numbers do not reflect it truly. Woods’ spectacular display on the day featured four birdies and an eagle. If he had encountered any chipping issues a day before, it all seemed to have been dealt with.

The highlight of the day came on the ninth hole. On Thursday, Woods was left disappointed and even swore loudly as he bogeyed the tricky hole.

A mere 24 hours later, he eagled the same very hole hitting a towering threewood from 270 yards to 15 feet and then rolling the ball in for an eagle putt that put him in sole lead.

It all began with three birdies on the opening four holes as it seemed the Tiger of old had come alive. He missed a birdie from 12 feet on the par-5 sixth failing to find the fairway for the first time, and saved pars on the seventh and eighth.

Woods also birdied the 11th but then slowed down. He dropped his first shot of the day at the 12th and also on the last one, to finish a tad disappointed in what was otherwise an outstanding display. On the day, he sometimes misread the trickier and faster greens but shone on the par 5s.

At the end of Round Two, Hoffman had surged into the lead with five consecutive birdies on the closing holes, and 12 in total, at 12under 132 (69, 63).