Nov. 12, 1999
Woods lags behind Els at Johnnie Walker Classic
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Associated Press Writer
TA SHEE, Taiwan (AP) — Tiger Woods shouldn't be too worried
about trailing Ernie Els by three strokes after two rounds of
the $1.3 million Johnnie Walker Classic.
Last year, when the tournament was played in Thailand, Woods rallied
from eight strokes back to beat the South African in a dramatic
playoff. It was the biggest comeback in Woods' professional career.
Els, who shared the lead Friday with New Zealander Michael Campbell,
doesn't think he's got the world's No. 1 player beaten.
“Tiger's the best golfer in the world. He had a mediocre
day (today),” Els said after shooting a 5-under 67 for a
36-hole total of 137 at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.
“If I can score under 70 for the next couple of days, then
they'll have to come out and catch me.”
Woods, who shot a 72 for 140, is struggling with his short game.
He mixed three bogeys with three birdies over the 7,150-yard course.
“I held it together but was struggling with the putter and
did well to fight back to even for the day,” said Woods,
who is coming off a record-tying four consecutive wins and eight
victories in his last 11 tournaments.
“It was a difficult day,” Woods said, adding he felt
tired and had been thrown off by varying weather, which included
drizzle, gusty winds and bright skies.
Els and Campbell were followed by Nick O'Hern of Australia and
Marten Olander of Sweden at 138. Next at 139 were Peter Senior
of Australia and Johan Skold of Sweden.
Els bogeyed the first hole, but then moved quickly up the leaderboard
with four birdies on the front nine. Coming back in, he had three
birdies and a bogey at 16.
Campbell, who shot a 71, was confident.
“I feel I'm playing well enough to win,” Campbell said.
“It just takes a little getting used to since I haven't won
for so long.
“I love to see my name on the leaderboard with the best players
in the world.”
Fiji's Vijay Singh, England's Nick Faldo and American Jim Furyk
all remained in contention. Singh shot a 72 for 143, Faldo had
a 72 for 144 and Furyk fired a 73 for 140.
|
