Tiger Woods left a volunteer with a deep bruise on his leg as he sets his sights on a third Players Championship success.
Woods again had his caddy working over-time and calling distances from parts of the course not on the yardage book in posting a one under par 71 to move to back to even par for the $US 10m event at TPC Sawgrass.
Woods hit the middle-aged volunteer with a wild drive down the right side of the 11th hole or the second of his round but in the process of hitting the volunteer it stopped the ball going deep into trees, and with Woods remarkably grabbing the first of six birdies but also posting in his round five bogeys.
It left the 14-time Major winner right on the cut mark but eight shots adrift of clubhouse leading compatriot Kevin Na (69) while FedEx Cup champ Billy Horshell (69) is next best at seven under par.
Tiger Woods on route to a round of 71 on day two of the 2015 Players (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
Woods last regular PGA Tour win won on the Ponte Vedre Beach course two years ago and he’s not ruled winning again this week.
“My expectations at the start of the week remain still the same and I feel like I am playing well enough to get myself up there, but then anyone who makes the cut this week has a chance of winning,” said Woods.
“But I am just not capitalising on my opportunities and I need to start doing that over the weekend.
“I feel my golf is finally at a point where I can play tournament golf on a consistent basis but then I have worked my butt off to change it, and I’m pretty proud of that, to be able to show up at Augusta and do what I did, and now I’ve just got to keep building from there.”
Kevin Na enjoyed a two shot clubhouse lead with a round of 69 for an eight under par tally but was left red-faced when his Ma phoned during a post round TV interview.
Na had just as many birdies as Woods but only three bogeys as the South Korean born, who has banked $US 18m in prize money, seeks a second Tour success.
