Tiger Woods stormed into contention at the US Open with a sizzling back nine on Saturday that put him five shots behind fellow American Dustin Johnson with one round to go at Pebble Beach.
Johnson, who eagled the par-four fourth hole and nearly aced the par-three seventh, claimed a three-shot lead over Britain’s Graeme McDowell with birdies on the last two holes for a 66 that matched Woods’ brilliant round.
The big-hitting Johnson, winner of the last two US PGA Tour stops at Pebble Beach, was six-under 207 through 54 holes at the famed Pacific coast course.
PHOTO: AFP
“I love playing here,” Johnson, 25, told reporters. “Today was a good day. I hit the ball well and made a few putts coming down the stretch.”
It was Woods, however, who electrified the Pebble Beach crowd with a charge reminiscent of his dominant days, fist-pumping after birdies and manufacturing a spectacular shot at the last hole to finish with three successive birdies.
Woods, who began the day tied for 25th, seven strokes off the pace, overcame two early bogeys to make the turn at level par, before a scorching back nine of five-under 31 catapulted him into third place on one-under 212 and back into contention for his 15th Major title.
After he curled in a birdie putt at the par-three 17th, Woods found himself in a jam at the 18th when his tee shot put him behind a tree on the right side of the fairway.
The world No. 1 faded a three-wood around the tree, sending it toward the ocean before bending it onto the green, where he two-putted for birdie.
“I just kept telling myself get back to even-par for the tournament and I’ll be right there,” Woods said. “I just happened to do one better. It felt good to put it together.”
Woods’ score over the back nine was more than eight strokes on average better than the rest of the field.
Johnson lived up to his reputation as a lover of Pebble Beach by leapfrogging McDowell at the close with two birdies, while the Briton bogeyed the 16th and 17th holes.
“I wasn’t quite expecting Dustin to do what he did, but he played magnificent,” McDowell said. “He was awesome. He really just stood up and had no fear, hit the shots, hit all the shots.”
Tied for fourth on level-par 213 were two-time US Open winner Ernie Els of South Africa (72) and unheralded Frenchman Gregory Havret (69).
Masters champion Phil Mickelson struggled to a 73 for one-over 214, while 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa of Japan returned a 75 for 216.
“I fought hard today, but I didn’t play well,” said Mickelson, whose three birdies were undone by three bogeys and a double-bogey.
Johnson, who Woods described as “stupid long” after practicing with him on Monday, turns 26 tomorrow and would love to celebrate with the trophy.
“You couldn’t ask for a better present. This is what I live for. This is what I practice for every day,” he said. “This is what we play golf for, to have a chance to win the US Open.”
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