Woods on Target after course record 62
BY Fred Norks | US PGA Tour | 2007 Target World Challenge | Round Two | 15 Dec 2007
Tournament host Tiger Woods fired a course record 10 under 62 in the second round of the Target World Challenge at the Sherwood Country Club to take a four shot lead over Jim Furyk in to the weekend at 13 under.
Woods, who had not played competitively since the Presidents Cup in late September, was in daunting form as he shot his way to the third lowest round of the 2007 PGA Tour season. The previous low rounds coming from 2007 Rookie of the Year, Brandt Snedeker (61) and Masters champion Zach Johnson (60).
Despite the time of year, which is often referred to as the “silly season”, Woods’ competitive nature never fails to kick in.
“I still expect a lot from myself on each and every shot, expect to go out there and give my best and try and get a W here. And as far as added pressure, it doesn’t change. It feels the same, whether it’s this event or all the way up to a major championship. It’s still the same. I want to get a W; that’s why I enter the tournament.”
Despite slipping from his overnight lead, Furyk was pleased with his bogey-free round of 67 today, which under normal circumstanes, would have looked like a much better score.
“I guess I’m pleased with the round. I shot 5-under par. Tiger played a heck of a round out there at 10-under. I went in there with the lead today and shot a good number, and I’m pretty far back. So my hats off to him. Hell of a host.”
“I felt like actually I played better yesterday to be honest with you. I hit the ball better, I had a lot more confidence in my swing yesterday. But on the back nine today I was really able to basically hit the ball in the hole. I didn’t do that extremely well early on.
“I missed a bunch of birdie putts early the first part of the round, and I made some loose swings for about the last 10 or 12 holes and was able to just kind of plot along and score well and get the ball in the hole, and I’m happy with that this time of the year.”
2007 Masters hero Zach Johnson birdied the final three holes to match Furyk’s 67 and close the day five off the pace. Reigning British Open champion, Padraig Harrington, was another two shots back on 6 under.
Rory Sabbatini had a day he would rather forget. The South African, backed up a first round 69 with a second round of 81 that included three triple bogeys and he would finish the day in outright last place.
