Tiger Woods stays in contention for the top slot at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship
Tiger Woods confirmed on Friday, January 27, that he has now straightened up his putting line and is ready to set the field ablaze on the remaining two days of the event.
Pulling in a composed three-under, 69 on the second day, Woods is heading into the contention for the lucrative European Tour title, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where he is playing for the first time in his career.
Woods said, “I got more committed to (his putting lines). Once I read the green, I said just play it and trust it. Yesterday, a couple of times, I was at a distance where the green was changing and I said just be committed to one grain.”
He suffered in the opening round for being completely alien to the course and had to struggle on quite a few occasions to get his ball off the thick roughs.
He is now better accustomed to the playing conditions here in Abu Dhabi and will be using his experience to take over the field on the final day.
Woods surged to a glorious six-under at one point, one off the lead, when he pulled in birdies at 11th, 12th and 15th but the misadventures later in the round pushed him down the leaderboard.
He is now trailing the surprise leader Thorbjørn Olesen by three shots and is currently tied for the fourth place alongside US Open champion Rory McIlroy.
Woods also expressed his satisfaction over his hard work with his swing coach Sean Foley.
He added, "I thought I played well," said Woods. "A lot of the things Sean (coach Sean Foley) and I are working on are starting to feel very comfortable. But it's tough out there”.
The event is warming up as it approaches the final rounds on Saturday and Sunday, ensuring thrilling performances on the closing days.
Defending champion Martin Kaymer has already left the course after failing to make the halfway cut, which has been more of a shock for his fans.
World number two Lee Westwood is currently battling a severe neck injury and while he has refused to withdraw from the tournament, he will have to settle for a disappointing finish on the final day.
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