Tiger needs to roar through final round
By CRAIG HILL
Scripps Howard News Service
REDMOND, Wash. -- Purrrr.
For the second day in a row, Sahalee's fairways tamed mighty
Tiger Woods.
Purrrr.
For the second day in a row, Tiger fell further back in the
pack in his attempt to win his second major.
Purrrr.
For the third day in a row, Tiger hasn't had the same success
on the first four holes that many other golfers have enjoyed.
Today, the final day of the PGA Championship, Woods says he'll
have to stop purring and roar through Sahalee the way he did Thursday
if he's going to make up a five-stroke deficit and catch leaders
Steve Stricker and Vijay Singh.
"If I post a round in the mid-60s I'll have an excellent
chance," said Woods, whose 66 on Thursday set a course record
that stood until Greg Kraft shot a 65 on Saturday. "That's
what it takes to win."
On Saturday, Woods shot an even-par 70 to remain at 2-under
for the tournament as the leaders pulled away.
The trick to posting a good score today, Woods said, is easier
said than done.
"I have to hit the fairways, and start fast," Woods
said. "The magic numbers are 14 and 18. Fourteen fairways
and 18 greens. I'm putting well, so if I give myself 18 putts
I should be able to make something happen."
But Woods has had problems hitting the fairways and greens.
Woods hit just seven fairways and 11 greens in regulation Saturday.
His putting bailed him out.
"I'm very happy with par today," Woods said, "because
it could have been a lot worse."
Even with Woods five strokes behind them, the leaders don't
believe they are out of reach.
"Anyone within five or six shots has a chance to win this
tournament," Singh said. "It's a major so anything can
happen."
Woods knows a magical run to the top of the leaderboard will
be impossible unless he shapes up his game.
While many golfers have gotten off to fast starts, Woods hasn't.
He birdied the first hole Saturday only to bogey the second and
fifth. The second has played as the easiest hole this weekend.
The trick to starting fast is keeping the ball in the fairway.
"I'm hitting the ball well, but the fairways are so hard,"
Woods said. "The balls are just rolling through the fairway."
Woods said he's on the cusp of turning in a great round.
"I hit the ball sketchy today for me," Woods said.
"But I'm not that far away. I can turn in a good round. I
still have a chance."
Roaaar?
(Craig Hill writes for the News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash.)
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