Tiger-ish Wood is back in the hunt
BIRDIE BLITZ: Wood ALL that was missing was an ‘S’ on the end of his name because Chris Wood played like Tiger Woods of old.
The Englishman, 31, had Carnoustie on its knees until the monster struck back and brought him down on to his.
Wood, paired with fellow countryman Paul Casey, rattled in five birdies on the first nine and another two on the back until two bogeys brought a halt to his breathtaking charge.
He finished the day on three-under for the tournament after signing for a superb five-under-par round of 66.
Golf’s gain is football’s loss.
Wood was desperate to play for his local side Bristol City until his career took a huge sea change through injury.
So he took up golf and has been a winner since.
Wood is surely a shoo-in for the Ryder Cup team if he continues this form until the Europe team is announced in September by captain Thomas Bjorn.
He said: “A couple of weeks ago I finished second in the French Open.
“That was pretty good yet the game I was playing wasn’t good enough.
“It wasn’t an ideal position to be going into a Major.
“But I am approaching it from where I am and working through it.
“I needed this score because the two previous days have been terrible. It was a really good effort to make the weekend.
“I had a tough shot on 16, I went for it when it was unrealistic really.
“Then to get a four on 18, it was up there with the best. I hit a two-iron off the tee which leaves you a lot to do.”
Wood, who made his Open debut 10 years ago as an amateur, added: “It makes me feel old.
“I’m a married man now with a baby but I love this tournament and it kick-started my career.
“Every year I come back. This is my fifth tournament in a row and I was shattered when I got here on Sunday.
“But this tournament just lifts you. It is such a special event and one I really feel I could do well in.
“I’ve upgraded my caddie since my debut at Birkdale. My dad was on my bag then so there are obviously a lot of good things going for me.”
JORDAN SPIETH marched into Carnoustie yesterday for a £20 haircut – then promptly scalped his rivals.
The defending champion was first to secure bragging rights over housemates Kevin Kisner and Zach Johnson and has already texted his chef to act as his food tester.
“You never know what they might try and put in my meal,” he joked after a mindblowing round of 65 to finish nine under, a score matched by fellow Americans Kisner and Xander Schauffele.
Jordan took off his cap to show his new ‘barnet’ and said: “I asked for tight on the top and he gave me a very British haircut short at the sides.
“I paid £20 and got a £9 cut. I am not sure if the barber recognised me. We didn’t talk much.”
Spieth bracketed his 65 “in my top 10 rounds” and promised more again today.
He added: “I felt comfortable. The only problem I had was on the 12th but I overcame that.
“Winning last year helps you sleep better but it doesn’t help when you go out on the final day of a Major, not knowing where the wind will blow.
“Tomorrow it will be expect the unexpected. Previous experience helps but it is not essential. I relied on my shots and it paid off. I felt I had to prove a few things last year but this year I don’t.
“The pressure is off. I made a dream start with an eagle and it continued.”
Spieth cannot wait to take on Tiger Woods and added: “It’s great he is back. His iron play today was awesome. I have always wanted to be in a fight with Tiger on a final day and it is great for him and the sport he is back.”
The sun came out again. And so did the stars. Together they provided a magical mix that left fans gasping and demanding more. Woods raised the bar with his back-to-his-best round getting to five under for the tournament after a sizzling 66.
You attack Tiger or get eaten. Spieth picked up the gauntlet, stormed through the door and the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Kevin Chappell, Kisner and Zach “I am not Dustin” Johnson followed.
Others knocked with Alex Noren, his Ryder Cup place secured, Francesco Molinari, the bizarrely named Schauffele – not surprising for a man whose mum was from Chinese Taipei, was brought up in Japan and his dad was half-French and German – and Erik van Rooyen in hungry pursuit.
Then Zander Lombard pouched an eagle on the last to put his name back in the frame. US
The world’s best turned ‘Car-nasty’ into a pussycat
stars and stripes splattered the leaderboard but there was also a vast colouring of European and South African flags.
Johnson, at 42, is the oldest of the US pack – Kisner, Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jason Dufner, Justin Thomas and Jimmy Walker – sharing a house.
He was first to take bragging rights when he holed a 100ft putt on the sixth for an eagle.
A bogey on the 12th brought him down to earth but he gave notice of being in the game.
Victory for him would make him the first player ever to win major titles at Augusta, St Andrews and Carnoustie.
Despite his 2015 Open triumph people still call him Dustin after his more famous namesake. Meanwhile, Spieth and Schauffele were becoming the ones to watch and McIlroy was not a shrinking violet either.
Carnoustie is, by reputation, the toughest course on the 10-strong Open rota.
To those players who arrived early it looked even more ferocious. The bleak links were scorched brown, burnt almost to a crisp by summer’s almost endless sun.
This was a test. Who wants a championship that becomes a procession? Punters want lights, camera, action.
The world’s best showed just why they are the world’s best. Names, old and new, turned ‘Car-nasty’ into a pussycat.
Those who complained were those who did not bring their A-game, essential in any Major. Those who did flourished. And a spectacle unfolded in glorious technicolour.
Carnoustie will never be a golfer’s friend but, as ever, cream rose to the top.
Between them, the seven previous winners here – Tommy Armour, Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Paul Lawrie and Padraig Harrington – amassed 26 Major titles.
Mcllroy, Woods, Fleetwood, Kisner, Zach Johnson, Spieth and Adam Scott maintained the tradition.
If today is just as fun and compelling then sit back and enjoy the ride as the fight for the Claret Jug becomes a true scrap.
Zach Johnson, Tommy Fleetwood
2.05: Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar
2.15: Alex Noren, Webb Simpson
2.25: Tiger Woods, Francesco Molinari
2.35: Kevin Chappell, Kevin Kisner
2.45: Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth