Tiger Woods flourished in balmy morning conditions to claim one-stroke advantage halfway through the Australian Open yesterday, leading a tournament overnight for the first time this year.
The 35-year-old former world No. 1 was delighted with his round of 67 to reach the clubhouse at nine-under, a shot clear of local veteran Peter O’Malley, whose six-under 66 was the lowest score of the day.
Australia’s world No. 7 Jason Day, who played with his boyhood hero Woods in front of packed galleries for the first two rounds, was a further shot back in third on seven-under after a 68.
Photo: EPA
Almost two years since his 95th and last title at the Australian Masters, though, most attention was focused on the fortunes of the greatest golfer of the last couple of decades, some say of all time.
Fourteen-time major winner Woods, who earlier this week expressed his belief that he could once again dominate golf, was in no doubt he is playing as well as he has since his return from injury and reconstructing his swing.
“It feels good that I am there playing properly, it’s not like I am slashing it all over the place. I am hitting the ball well,” Woods said after a seven-birdie, two bogey effort.
Woods led the field during the final round of this year’s Masters, but the last time he led at the end of a day’s play was at his own Chevron World Challenge in December last year, when he blew a three-shot lead on the final day.
O’Malley was another of the early starters and made good use of his local knowledge and his unorthodox “eyes shut” putting technique to record a flawless round.
“Being a member, I do play here a lot,” the 46-year-old said. “I know where to hit it. The greens are still pretty tricky to read and you have to get the speed right.”
O’Malley was particularly pleased not to have missed any putts from within six feet, the range within which he has shut his eyes before the final execution for just more than a year.
“It takes away the visual anxiety,” he said. “I am not seeing what the putter is doing so I don’t feel any anxiety over it. I just close my eyes and let it flow.”
Day, who celebrates his 24th birthday today, has been anointed the coming man of Australian golf after finishing second at two majors this year.
He was just pleased not to have embarrassed himself as he fulfilled a childhood dream of playing with Woods after picking up five birdies with just a single blemish on his scorecard.
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