Tiger Woods thrilled Augusta National by leaping into contention in the second round of the Masters, firmly putting himself in the hunt for a historic 15th Major title and fifth green jacket.
The 43-year-old American superstar fired a dramatic four-under 68 to share sixth place on six-under 138, one stroke behind a record Masters lead logjam of five co-leaders — all of them Major winners.
Having fun
“It was fun,” Woods said. “I felt like I left a few shots out there. It was a solid day. I tried to grind it out there.”
Reigning British Open champion Francesco Molinari, last year’s British Open and PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka, Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott and South African Louis Oosthuizen all shared the midway lead.
But their feats were all eclipsed by Woods, who signalled he would be a threat to capture his first Major since the 2008 US Open and first Masters title since 2005 — astonishing after years of knee and back injuries that made him doubt if he would ever play competitively again.
“After three knee surgeries and four back surgeries, I’m great,” Woods said.
While Woods settled for being in a pack one adrift with second-ranked Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and South African Justin Harding, there was no doubt he was the star to crowds glued to his every move.
Woods brought back chilling roars harkening to his 1997 ‘Tigermania’ first Major win.
Oosthuizen made seven birdies in shooting a 66, while Day fired 67 after tweaking his back on Thursday.
Seventh-ranked Molinari fired a bogey-free 67, the lowest score of his 26 career rounds at Augusta National, where his best finish was a share of 19th in 2012.
Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, seeking a green jacket to complete a career Grand Slam, fired a 71 to stand seven back on 144.
Garcia also misses out
World No. 1 Justin Rose missed the cut for the first time in 14 Augusta appearances at 148 after a second-round 73. Sergio Garcia also missed the weekend.
Top scores: 137:
Francesco Molinari (Ita) 70, 67, Jason Day (Aus) 70, 67, Brooks Koepka (USA) 66, 71, Adam Scott (Aus) 69, 68, Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 71, 66.
138: Dustin Johnson (USA) 68, 70, Justin Harding (RSA) 69, 69, Xander Schauffele (USA) 73, 65, Tiger Woods (USA) 70, 68.
139: Ian Poulter (Eng) 68, 71, Jon Rahm (Esp) 69. 70.
