Tiger Woods falls on the leaderboard after sloppy second round in WGC Bridgestone Invitational
This year’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club is attracting an unusual crowd owing primarily to Tiger Woods’ return to the course after a lapse of 11 weeks. The ticket sales have already touched unprecedented scale, amply demonstrating
the fact that Woods remains one of the most celebrated players in the sport.
The 35-year-old former world number one had a disappointing day in the second round of the event after he played a solid first round for a two-under, 68 showing visible signs of improvement. He fell for one-over, 71 on the second day, stumbling on a three
bogeys and a dreadful double-bogey at par-four, 6th.
“I didn't putt as well as I did yesterday, and consequently I just never got the round going.” Woods said while talking to the reporters. “The pins were slightly more difficult, and these greens are getting a little chewed up out there.”
For all the blame he can hurl over on the playing conditions, it is more than evident that Woods has been battering a deteriorated form than anything else. He suffered a severe injury at the Players Championship earlier in the year where he decided to participate
in the event despite of his injured left knee.
The 14-major-winner has already missed two of the major events in the current year and has made a comeback on his favourite hunting ground, the Firestone Country Club. Woods has won the WGC Bridgestone Invitational for a whopping seven times in his 11 starts.
Many critics, though, argue that he made the return at Firestone keeping in view that there is no halfway cut in this tournament.
Woods is paired with his friend and the Open Championship winner Darren Clarke. The Irishman finished at the bottom of the leaderboard with a dreadful 11-over.
“You know, I think that he's been a little bit busy. Being an Open Champion, he's had more appearances, more responsibilities, people want to thank him. He hasn't been practicing as much.” Woods said about Clarke. “He's a little run down. But still, just
a great guy and always fun playing with him.”
It may not matter much for Clarke to finish at the bottom but stakes are definitely high for Woods as the once undisputed king of the sport has now slumped to 28th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). He is hoping to post some strong finishes,
if not victories, to improve his chances to reserve a berth at the President’s Cup this year.
Fred Couples, the captain of the US Team has already signalled that his selection will come on merit and performance in the recent season. Woods has not won a single event for the last two years and is on the verge of falling out of top-50 for the first
time in last 15 years.
Once he is out of Top 50, Woods will have to go through the Qualifying rounds to get into the field of PGA Tour events, which will undoubtedly, be the biggest disgrace for the former champion.
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