AUGUSTA, Georgia (AP) Tiger Woods returns to Augusta National on Saturday for another gorgeous Masters weekend, much like the five-time champion has done in the past when he was healthy enough to compete as a professional.
After making the cut for the 24th time in a row, Woods began the third round 1-over par, still on track for a record-tying sixth green jacket. He had a lot of gap to make up, behind overnight leaders Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau by seven shots and 21 players ahead of him.
However, as long as his shaky back and fused ankle hold up, there is reason to suppose Woods, 48, can as well.
He had to play 23 holes on Friday since his first round was cut short due to darkness. Nonetheless, Woods not only endured through a grueling day, but posted a second-round 72 in such blustery circumstances that the average score was 75.09, the best for the second round at the Masters since 2007, when it was both windy and cold.
Woods has driven the ball effectively, hitting 22 of 28 fairways, and has compensated for some bad approach shots (17 of 36 greens in regulation) with a solid short game. Woods started the day in the top ten for putting this week.
“A lot of those chip shots I was able to get up-and-down because I left it in the perfect spot, and that’s understanding how to play this golf course,” Woods was quoted as saying. “Most of the up-and-downs I was in a perfect spot.”
