Woods breaks clear at Kingston Heath

BY Bruce Young | Australasian PGA Tour | 2009 Australian Masters | Round Two | 13 Nov 2009

Tiger Woods leads the JBWere Masters, further enhancing the success of his visit here and ensuring that the thousands who have planned to be at Kingston Heath on the weekend will not only see Tiger Woods, perhaps for the first time, but also see him playing with a lead.

Today a crowd of just over 24,000 packed the Kingston Heath layout and a very high percentage of them were here from very early on, despite the fact that Woods was not to play until 12.20.

Woods’ second round of 68 in increasingly difficult conditions has him three shots ahead of the early finisher, Jason Dufner, while James Nitties and Greg Chalmers, who played in the afternoon field today, share second place with the Dufner.

Chalmers and Nitties both dropped shots late in their rounds but at 7 under they are the leading Australians ahead of Victorian Open champion Ashley Hall and Tasmania’s Mathew Goggin.

Goggin, Hall and Colombian Manuel Villegas are at 6 under and four from Woods lead.

“The golf course was a lot quicker with no dew on the fairways and you had to allow for the springier greens,” said Woods when asked to compare the course with that he faced in his opening round.

“It became apparent that you had the miss the hole in the correct spots to have any kind of chance. I was able to hole good putts at the 9th and 14th to keep the round going.”

“I have played the golf course in morning conditions now in three rounds and so it was nice to see it a little bit different. Over the weekend you will need to hit it well and manage it well as these greens are going to get a little more spring to them.”

The wind was a factor also for Woods.

“It’s weird. The first, 2, 3 and 4 for some reason Pamps and I we had complete opposite winds. For some reason the first four holes the wind was trying to find its direction and it wasn’t till the 6th that is became consistent.”

It was clear that Tiger was enjoying the golf course more and more.

“It is pretty cool when you have to really think your way around the golf course,” he added. “I have always enjoyed playing golf courses where you have to think and plot your way along the golf course.”

When asked if he was surprised at the position he finds himself in and how well he has played the course his answer perhaps summed up why he is the world number one.

“Am I surprised – No.” It was short and to the point.

Chalmers was pleased to find himself so well placed heading into the weekend.

“My short game feels very good and I am pleased with that. It was difficult today the greens were getting crusty late in the day and very difficult to putt on.”

Chalmers has just completed a successful year after regaining his PGA Tour status via the Nationwide Tour last year and has earnings of US$1 million for the season. He puts much of his improvement down to his coach Colin Swatton who also happens to work with Jason Day. Colin is accountable for how I play and he makes me accountable for how I play. I played well on the Nationwide Tour last year after I started working with him and again this year."

When asked if he felt Woods was capable of being caught tomorrow Chalmers responded in a measured manner.

“As a professional you have to think you can.”

There was an air of resignation in the voice but the left hander and 1998 Australian open Champion is as well positioned as any to thrown down the gauntlet to Woods.

Nitties has also returned from a fine first season on the PGA Tour. Having overcome illness issues and the problems associated with not being able to secure a Tour on which to play, Nitties is fulfilling much of the potential he displayed in amateur golf and early in his professional career.

Mahal Pearce and Steven Bowditch produced the best rounds of the afternoon field, Woods aside, their rounds of 68 leaving them in share of 8th position. Bowditch continues the fine form he displayed last week when winning the Queensland PGA Championship while for 2003 New Zealand Open Champion Pearce this is a welcome return to form.

Tiger Woods will play with Jason Dufner in tomorrow’s third round while Greg Chalmers and James Nitties will enjoy each other’s company in the second to last group.