Woods surges in Bahamas

PATRICK Reed edged into a three-shot lead at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Thursday as Tiger Woods bounced back into contention after a lacklustre opening round.

Former Masters champion Reed carded a second consecutive six-under-par 66 to finish the second round at 12 under for the tournament at Albany Golf Club.

After strong winds which buffeted the course on Wednesday, Reed was among several players who took advantage of less hostile conditions to post a low-scoring round.

The American started slowly, picking up two birdies over the front nine to reach the turn at two under for the round.

Back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes were followed by two more on 14 and 15, and although a bogey on the 16th followed, Reed recovered with a birdie on the last.

“I feel good,” Reed said afterwards. “I feel like the game’s a lot more clearer than it was earlier this year. I’m giving myself opportunities and the putter’s working.”

US Open champion Gary Woodland, who had shared the first round lead on Wednesday, posted a three-under-par 69 to finish the day alone in second place at nine under.

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Spain’s Jon Rahm shared third spot on eight under, four off the lead.

Stenson moved up the leaderboard after a five-underpar 67 while Rahm shot a sixunder-par 66.

Tournament host Woods meanwhile came back strongly after his disappointing 72 on Wednesday, hitting a bogey-free 66.

Woods’ round burst into life on the back nine, with the former world number one snaring an eagle three on the par-five 11th to launch his charge down the stretch.