Major-less quartet lead but Tiger lurks
IN: News | US PGA | US PGA Championship (2006) | Round Two | by Bruce Young | 19 Aug 2006
A typically gutsy round by Tiger Woods has him just one shot from the lead at the completion of round two of the USPGA Championship at Medinah. The way he managed to eek out a round of 68 on a day when all was not perfect for him will have those ahead of him, and those behind for that matter, fully aware of his progress over the closing thirty six holes.
Day two again provided perfect scoring conditions and many took advantage. Tim Herron, Luke Donald, Billy Andrade and Henrik Stenson all have a share of the lead but there were many others who have kept their hopes of winning the title alive with impressive second round efforts.
Stenson was out early in the day and he was faultless through the first 12 holes in fact so much so that at that point he had moved to nine unde par for the tournament and had a clear lead. He would eventually finish at eight under and was joined late in the day by Andrade, Herron and Donald.
Each of the leaders looked impressive but it would be the classy Donald who perhaps looked the most likely to go on with it over the weekend. Donald's best finish in a major has been when 3rd at last year's Masters but the style of player he is gives the impression he will win a major in the US sooner rather than later.
Stenson was playing beautifully in the latter half of last year and early this year but over the last few months he has not played quite as well. He has often been considered as perhaps Europe's next major winner and now that he has made such a start, this offers a great opportunity.
Andrade is taking full advantage of the break he got on Tuesday when Steve Elkington withdrew from the tournament. As the number seven alternate he was at the movies with his wife when the message was left on his cell phone and when he emerged from the movie he discovered his good fortune. It is one thing to get the break but another completely to take advantage of it and so far he has done just that.
Tim Herron has also surprised with his performance after a run of very disappointing tournaments since his win at the Colonial in May. He had missed his last two cuts prior to this week so this represents a significant turnaround. Birdies at his last two holes saw him surge into a share of the lead.
While the four leaders will be elated at the opportunity they have created for themselves, they will also be very much aware of the presence of two of the three major winners in 2006, Tiger Woods and Geoff Ogilvy, breathing down their necks. Woods was not at his best, especially in the middle of his round, but he found a way to get through that difficult patch with a couple of very good par saves. When he emerged he took advantage with birdies at the 15th and then at the 18th after his 18 foot right to left putt took him within one of the lead.
Geoff Ogilvy outplayed if not outscored his opponents early in the day. While Woods and Mickelson were struggling from the tee through the front nine holes, Ogilvy was rock solid and when he birdied the 7th for his fourth consecutive birdie he had moved to seven under and within one of the lead. He bogeyed both the 10th and 11th holes after he hit two ordinary tee shots himself at those holes but a beautiful birdie across the green at the 13th and another at the 15th from 12 feet behind the cup saw him move back to seven under and within one. Given that he had to deal with the much talked about duel between his playing partners Mickelson and Woods it was an impressive performance by Ogilvy. If he was to go on and win he would become one of only six players to win the US Open and the PGA in the same year.
Also at seven under is Davis Love who, unlike his opening round yesterday, struggled early on day two. Three bogeys in his first four holes had him at two over for the day but there would be no repeat of yesterday's late round demise. He played the back nine in 33 for a second round 69 and at one back he has a chance to add a second PGA title and second major to his CV.
There are many others who aided their chances today with second rounds which saw them move into a position to challenge further over the next two days. They include but are not limited to Phil Mickelson, who although he was not completely on song in round two found a way to stay in touch. His sensational birdie at the last after a four iron from the left hand rough landed like a butterfly with sore feet and a was followed by a 14 foot birdie putt, will have been a great boost to him after a struggle to keep pace with his playing partners Ogilvy and Woods.
Tim Clark, David Toms and Mike Weir are amongst those at five under who appear as if they could go on with things over the weekend. All have shown a capacity to handle the bigger stage and they will get the chance to prove it once again this weekend.
There are still plenty with a chance even further back perhaps even as far as the likes of Jim Furyk who has not got the best out of his play to date. A good round from him tomorrow will have him back in the firing line by Sunday.
After Ogilvy, the Australians are headed by Adam Scott, who has put himself in position for a weekend challenge with a front nine of 33 today. The momentum slowed over the back nine holes but at four back he now has his chance.
Robert Allenby and the two Greens, Nathan and Richard, are at two under and while the latter pair will be pleased to be where they are, Allenby will be disappointed after his great start today that he let things slip. Birdies at his first and second holes had him at six under for the tournament but four bogies from that point on saw him finish at two under. Still he is not without a chance to bounce back.
Richard Green recovered from his slow opening round of 73 with a second round 69 and Nathan Green has recorded yet another first in his 2006 by making his first cut in a major in just his third major appearance when he added a second consecutive 71 to sit at two under. Stuart Appleby and Aaron Baddeley made it seven Australians into the weekend.
There have been many stories already at this Championship but there are many more to emerge on what promises to be an enthralling weekend.
Photo - Anthony Powter
