Tiger Woods soars in latest comeback
FOR a blessed spell on the Albany course, it was 2007 all over again. Tiger Woods was clear at the top of the leaderboard and the watching world was openmouthed. Of all his comebacks this is already his most remarkable.
Yes, there were a few late bogeys in his 68 for a seven-under total, to leave him in a tie for fifth, five shots behind Charley Hoffman (63), to take away a touch of the sparkle on Saturday, but surely only the Grinch would put a downer on this resurrection.
After all, this is his first competitive round in 10 months, following a spinal-fusion operation which was basically a make-ofbreak on his career. Add this rust to ridicule he suffered when being found slumped across his steering wheel in May, out of his mind on prescription drugs, and then you may approximate the scale of his achievement so far at the Hero World Challenge in Bahamas.
This was his ninth round in 27 months and, after all he has been through, it must be doubted if many other of the game’s legends would have been similarly capable. He is ranked 1199th in the world and is more than holding his own in a field boasting eight of the world’s top 10.
Tiger, however, was refusing to get carried away.
‘‘After a 31 on the front nine I could have done better on the back nine,’’ he said. ‘‘I struggled with the speed all day on the greens. But I’ve proved the surgery has been successful, the rehab has been fantastic, and now I have the chance to play golf again. I’m just getting back, though, and have a way to go.’’
Before Friday’s round, Steph Curry and Michael Phelps took to social media to describe their excitement. This time it was Donovan Bailey, the former 100m world champion, and Niall Horan, the One Direction crooner, expressing their feverish enthusiasm.
Even for Woods this seemed surreal. Granted, the Hero World Challenge is essentially an end of season hit-and-giggle in which the lucky invitees get to fight it out for the honour of a US$1 million (NZ$1.4m) winning cheque none of them really need. But it boasts the best and the best do not appreciate losing.
If the 41-year-old had stirred memories with his first-round 69, then three birdies in his first four holes was total recall.
There was a fine approach to five feet on the first, a two-putt birdie from 30ft on the par-five third and a brilliant second shot to four feet on the third. And all the while, he was driving it in the style of one of the celebrated young generation – long, straight. There was a lip-out for another birdie on the fifth and two of those six-foot knee-janglers on the sixth and seventh for par. But on the par-five ninth vintage Tiger leapt up and said ‘‘remember me?’’ A three-wood to 18ft set up the eagle putt and inevitable fist pump.
At eight-under he was in the outright lead and for that moment, at least, golf was recalling its heyday.
A three-putt bogey on the 12th was followed by a pedestrian par on the 15th. Woods played a wonderful par-saving pitch on the 17th, but a wayward drive on the 18th resulted in a five. No matter. It had been another stunning day. Telegraph, London