Friday, November 17, 2000
Woods surges to lead in Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Tiger Woods, playing what he called
an almost flawless round, shot a 7-under-par 65 Friday to take
a one-stroke lead in the Johnnie Walker Classic.
Taking advantage of soft greens on a cool day, Woods made eight
birdies and was at 11-under 133 after two rounds in a country
where he is a national hero.
He said if not for his bogey on the sixth hole, “I would
call today's performance perfect.”
Australia's Rodney Pampling shot a 66 at the Alpine Golf and Sports
Club and was at 134. Another stroke back were two other Aussies
— Geoff Ogilvy, who finished second last year, and first-round
leader Wayne Smith.
Woods, seeking his 10th title of the year, said he played much
better than he did Thursday.
“I drove the ball good again and hit some good iron shots
which left me with some makable putts and I made almost every
one,” he said.
“The greens Friday morning were a lot more receptive than
on the first day of play,” he added. “When you hit a
ball in there, the ball won't skip on the back like yesterday.
There was no wind either and it always does make a lot of difference”
However, he did have one complaint — the use of cell phones
among spectators, a disruption he called a nuisance.
Two other stars also excelled in the morning. Sweden's Jesper
Parnevik had a 65 and is four strokes behind Woods, while Spain's
Sergio Garcia shot a 64 and is five back.
The Johnnie Walker Classic is the opening event of the 2000-01
season on the European and Australasian tours. The cut was at
1-over 145.
Garcia who opened with a 74 Thursday, ran off five consecutive
birdies to get back into contention.
Defending champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand, who was paired
with Woods, had a 67 and was tied with Garcia.
Pampling stopped Woods from getting too far ahead thanks to birdies
on the last three holes.
“I actually missed a couple of putts on the front from four
feet with bad putts but rectified it,” Pampling said.
Ogilvy finished runner-up in the Johnnie Walker Classic last year
in Taiwan, but he has not been playing well.
“I don't know, maybe its just a coincidence that I'm in Asia
and playing well again. ... This will help get my confidence back,”
he said.
Garcia started his round on the back nine and after four steady
pars he then made five birdies. He followed that with an eagle
on the fifth and another birdie on the seventh.
“I'm back in the tournament and I have a good chance of winning
now after playing so well today,” he said.
Scotland's Paul Lawrie and Australia's Paul Gow are at 136. Parnevik,
who faced the prospect of missing the cut with an opening 72,
recovered with his 65 and is at 137.
Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address)
of This Story to A Friend:
|
