Torrey Pines, CA ..
Tiger Woods missed the cut in his first Tour event in 17-months but is facing now a bigger fear how his back will hold-up on a 17-hour flight to Dubai.
Woods posted scores of 76 and 72 for a four-over par tally in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines near San Diego.
It was the first occasion in 16 appearances along the clifftops course overlooking the Pacific Ocean Woods has not played all four rounds.
And while overall pleased he played 36 holes relatively pain-free Woods was hardly warming to thoughts of an 8,300 mile commercial flight from L A to the UAE ahead of teeing-up later next week in the Dubai Desert Classic and an event he’s won twice before.
“My only physical concern is the long flight now ahead of me and I am wondering how my body will handle the flights as flying out here is something I hadn’t done for a long while,” he said.
Tiger Woods making his way to the scorer’s hut after rounds of 74 and 72 at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open.
“But overall I didn’t make enough birdies today. I hit it well enough and I hit a lot of beautiful putts that just didn’t go in.
“As for the positives, I had a good round going on Thursday and in my first round back that I just lost there in the middle part of the round and today I came out, and with the way I was playing and considered everything I fixed, I felt everything was flowing nicely but, as I said, I didn’t make enough birdies.
“It was also frustrating I didn’t have a chance to win the tournament but overall today was just a whole lot better than Thursday and I have to look at it that way.”
The current World No. 663 managed five birdies along with seven bogeys and one double bogey.
But then Woods was not alone in missing the projected level par cut-off mark and being joined by ‘superstar’ playing partners, Jason Day and Dustin Johnson along with other victorious Ryder Cup stars in Jimmy Walker and Brooks Koepka.
Tiger Woods signs autographs after rounds of 76 and 72 in the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open
And after hitting just four of 14 fairways on Thursday his opening shot for a second day running was way right of the North Course fairway.
But then after sending his second through the green Woods chipped to 10-foot to kick-start his round with a birdie.
Woods dropped a first shot at his third and then posting eight straight pars before dropping a stroke at his 12th.
Woods then gave a huge crowd something more to cheer about in managing to birdie his 14th to get back to four over par ahead of ending with four pars.
And while Woods will attract plenty of knockers, it’s all about having his game shape for Augusta.
Any doubt Tiger Woods had lost any of his popularity is clear as his signs autographs following his second round in the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open
“I am just like anyone out here, as I am trying to get ready for that first week in April and that’s eventually where I want everything to come together,” he said.
“So, that’s the plan but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to win this golf tournament but I have next week in Dubai.
“And it’s difficult because I am not that type of guy who’s good at being patient but having my two little ones have helped me become that more patient.”
Day, who shot scores of 73 and 74, had pleaded on day one with the golf world to cut Woods some slack.
“Let him go a year, let him play and go from there,” said the World No. 1
“You know, that’s the same with us. We can’t panic too much at the start of the year. I always look back at Rory’s year last year. He really didn’t do a lot until the FedEx Cup Play-Offs and he ended up being the FedEx Cup champion.
“So just be patient. Let Tiger keep working on the things he needs to and hopefully it will all come together”.
