Friday, March 2, 2001
Woods leads by two strokes in Dubai
By STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Every golfer should experience
Tiger Woods' “slump.”
Woods birdied the final two holes Friday for his second straight
8-under 64, giving him a two-stroke lead over partner Thomas Bjorn
of Denmark after two rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Woods' total of 16-under 128 was a tournament record for the opening
36 holes, two better than the mark set by Ernie Els in 1994.
Woods is 0-for-5 in tournaments this season and hasn't won since
November. But he smiled at the notion he's in a slump, and Bjorn
dismissed the idea as well.
“I haven't won in eight tournaments in America,” Woods
said. “But I've won three other tournaments in that span.
I won in Thailand, the Grand Slam and then in Argentina (World
Cup). There are three events that I've won and they (Americans)
don't count those.”
“I don't think they actually follow the game globally as
well as they should,” he added. “Some of the writers
— the public — don't get to see what goes on in the
world of golf.”
India's Jeev Milkha Singh shot a 66 Friday to go with a 67, putting
him four behind Woods. England's Brian Davis is five behind after
a 65 Friday.
Through 36 holes in a desert on the Arabian peninsula, Woods and
Bjorn have pushed and chased each other. Between them they have
birdied every hole at least once on the silky smooth greens at
Majlis Course Emirates Golf Club.
Woods (16) and Bjorn (15) have racked up 31 birdies, with Bjorn
making the only bogey.
Bjorn has played the course often because he has homes in Denmark,
Florida and Dubai.
“I've performed to my highest level,” he said.
The Dane had only praise for the tireless, focused play by Woods.
“When this guy brings his best golf game, there is nobody
in the world who is going to beat him,” Bjorn said. “If
I keep playing my best, he's got to just let off a little bit.
The way he's playing right now over the first two rounds is why
he's the world No. 1. He is by far the best golfer I've ever seen.”
The trip from Los Angeles took 251/2 hours, but it was well worth
the flight for Woods, who is being paid $2 million to play in
this event.
“This guy has brought the game to a new level,” Bjorn
said. “He's maybe the most talented athlete in the world.
Thank God he chose to play our game.”
Bjorn, who played with Woods in the third round of last year's
U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, said he's adjusting to the crush of
fans and bodyguards that accompany Woods.
“You have to get used to playing with him,” Bjorn said
after Thursday's round. “There are a lot of guys on this
tour (European). If you put them out with him, they would not
be able to perform.”
Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address)
of This Story to A Friend:
|
