Tiger Woods makes step forward in comeback with two-under-par round at Torrey Pines
The 42-year-old carved out his lowest score at Torrey Pines for five years in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open
TIGER WOODS' comeback took a big step forward as he carved out his lowest score at Torrey Pines for five years.
Woods’ two-under-par 70 in the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open may not sound much to write home about.
But for a man playing his first proper tournament since undergoing complex back surgery, it was a real shot in the arm – especially over the longest course the pros play all year on the PGA Tour.
And despite winning eight times here, Woods has found it increasingly difficult – he had not gone lower than 71 in his previous nine attempts, dating back to his last win, in 2013.
It was particularly impressive when you consider Woods, 42, hit just three fairways for the second day running. From the spots he was hitting it off the tee, many players would have struggled to break 80.
But the short game magic that used to his hallmark when he was piling up 14 Major victories was as mesmerising as it was in his peak years.
Woods said he was more pleased with his performance here than he was at last month’s exhibition event, the Hero World Challenge, even though he shot three rounds in the 60s there.
He said: “That has to be the next goal – another round in the 60s to keep the needle heading in the right direction. This has been so much tougher than the Hero, and I’ve really had to grind it out on every hole.
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“My short game has been razor sharp the last couple of days, and I just have to sort out my driving so I can make things a bit easier for myself.”
"My short game and my heart got me through today.”
Nick Faldo, commenting on Woods’ comeback was certainly impressed. He purred: “Physically, Tiger looks great. He has given that spine a real workout all week. And it looks like he has got his artist around the greens back.”
Woods has made steady progress throughout the week. He opened with a level par 72 share of 84th place, and with the pressure on added a one under par 71 to move up to a share of 65th and make the cut right on the number.
And this latest effort lifted him into the top forty – and it looks like there is a lot more improvement to come before he heads to Augusta in April to try to claim a fifth Masters title.
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He is still light years behind the players battling it out on the top of the leaderboard – including Spanish ace Jon Rahm, who will climb to No 1 in the world if he can add to last week’s CareerBuilder Challenge victory by successfully defending this title.
But US Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed, who partnered Woods in the first two rounds, believes it will not be too long before he is contending.
Reed said: “It has to be baby steps at first for Tiger, but there has been some awesome golf from him in this tournament. He is back, don’t worry about that.”
