Francesco Molinari in five
- Published
Tiger Woods overcame being slide-tackled by a security guard to fight his way into contention here in the second round at the 83rd Masters. The incident was as bizarre as it sounds and in typical Woods fashion he responded with two courageous birdies.
The 43-year-old - looking for his first major in 11 years and his first green-jacket in 14 years - was playing the 14th when the guard slipped on a wet bank as he kept an eye on the huge galleries swarming to see the 14-time major champion after he played a fine recovery from the trees.
The guard clattered into Woods, who somehow managed to stay on his feet. But the clash appeared to hurt as Woods jumped and clutched his ankle. Woods proceeded to limp up the fairway before holing from 28 feet on the birdie. “Accidents happen,” Woods said afterwards, apparently wanting to skip the issue. “I’m fine. I have undergone four back surgeries and four knee surgeries, but I'm good.”
On the next hole Woods converted a 30-footer, raising his arm as he did so, and so all those who had stayed around after play was suspended for half an hour when Woods was on the 12th were rewarded for their patience. These were remarkable scenes even by the high standards of Tiger and the Augusta National.
Woods is on six-under after a 68 and one off the pace set by Francesco Molinari, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen. With Dustin Johnson on six-under, alongside fellow American Xander Schauffele, the South African Justin Harding, and Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm on five-under, it means there are huge names lined up for what should be a spectacular Masters weekend.