Woods pulls within two with 3-under 68
Canadian rookie clings to lead; Rory, Spieth miss cut.
Corey Conners knew Tiger Woods had finished his second round at Innisbrook because he couldn’t see him. He was only about 50 yards from the ninth green, but there were too many fans covering every inch of grass, packed in a dozen deep because of Woods.
Woods brought the Valspar Championship to life Friday with his best round of a comeback that is building momentum toward the Masters.
Conners was happy to play a quiet round in the afternoon and wind up with the lead in Palm Harbor, Fla.
The Canadian rookie ran off three birdies before a careless error set him back, and he finished with a 2-under 69 for a two-shot lead going into the weekend. Right on his heels was Woods, who kept a clean card until his final hole and shot 68.
Conners was on the putting green when Woods and his entourage — officials, security, media and stragglers — walked along the edge of the green, in front of another group waiting to tee off on No. 1 and toward the scoring area.
“I definitely saw that,” Conners said. “I’ve seen that the last few days as well. Pretty cool. Hopefully, I can be in a position where I get some followers Sunday.”
Until that moment, the closest Conners ever got to Woods was at the Masters three years ago when he watched him on the range. Conners played at Augusta National that year as the U.S. Amateur runner-up.
Conners was at 6-under 136 and will play in the final group with Paul Casey, who had a 68. Woods and Brandt Snedeker (68) will be in the group in front of them, with thousands of fans lining the fairways and surrounding the greens.
“I don’t think (4 under) will be leading, but at least I’m there with a chance going into the weekend,” Woods said when he finished. “Today was a good day.”
Jordan Spieth missed the cut for the second time this year. He is still trying to rediscover his putting touch, and his iron game left him in an opening round of 76. He didn’t fare much better on Friday with two birdies and two bogeys for an evenpar 71.
“I’ve played with Tiger many times. It’s nothing new,” Spieth said. “It kind of feels like you’re playing in a major championship in a normal round, which if anything should bring out better golf for me. I just got way off on my iron play, with putting not improving either. That’s how you shoot over par.”
Henrik Stenson, the other major champion in the group, had another 74 and missed the cut. Also headed home was Rory McIlroy, who shot 73 and missed the cut for the second time in four PGA Tour starts this year.
Champions: Tom Pernice Jr. shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 for a three-shot lead in the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, Calif. The 58-year-old Pernice is a five-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions. Seven players were three shots back.
European Tour: Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo took a four-stroke lead at the Indian Open in New Delhi after shooting 4-under 68.
Thursday’s Games Friday’s Games
(At) Raptors 108, Rockets 105: Kyle Lowry scored 30 points and DeMar DeRozan had 23 as Toronto ended Houston’s 17-game winning streak. Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors won their seventh straight. James Harden scored 40, but the Rockets lost for the first time since Jan. 27 at New Orleans.
Wizards 116, (at) Pelicans 97: Otto Porter Jr. scored 19 points for Washington, and New Orleans couldn’t overcome the absence of All-Star Anthony Davis as its 10-game winning streak ended.
(At) Pacers 112, Hawks 87: Bojan Bogdanovic scored 21 points and Cory Joseph scored 10 of his 18 in the opening quarter as Indiana won easily.
(At) Pistons 99, Bulls 83: Blake Griffin had 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to help Detroit end a fourgame losing streak.
Knicks at Bucks: Late
Jazz at Grizzlies: Late
Lakers at Nuggets: Late
Warriors at Trail Blazers: Late
Magic at Kings: Late
Cavaliers at Clippers: Late
NBA notes
Hornets: Point guard Michael Carter-Williams needs surgery on his left shoulder and will miss the remainder of the season. He suffered a posterior labral tear March 4 at Toronto. Rookie Malik Monk has filled in as the team’s backup point guard the last two games.
Timberwolves: The chief financial officer for the team and the Minnesota Lynx will resign next month after more than two decades with the organization. The teams said Roger Griffith’s last day will be April 15 and vice president of finance Pete Stene will be replacing him.