Tiger Woods couldn’t save The National in the long term, but he saved it this week.
He saved it on Friday when he finally made some putts worth talking about, made a huge birdie chip and generally fought his way to a second round 65 that put him in contention going into the final 36-holes outside the nation’s capitol.
“They’re going to start falling eventually and today they did,” Woods said of four long birdie putts that came from 26 feet, 24 feet, 19 feet, and 16 feet. None were more exciting than his pitch-in birdie at the 18th after a poor tee shot left him scrambling.
He’s five-under par, just four back of the three leaders — Beau Hossler, Bran Gay and Ryan Palmer. Look at those names and they’re absolutely giddy that Woods is there to save the day and preserve the crowds and he had a big one following him early Friday.
They were rewarded with birdies at 10, 12, 15 and the pitch for three at 18 that brought a huge roar. He turned two-under on that back nine then kept things together on the front with three more coming home.
The final count was 10 of 14 fairways hit, 13 of 18 greens and 27 putts, down from the 29 on Thursday.
Of course Woods was upbeat afterward.
“I’m not that far back,” he pointed out. “The scores aren’t going to be that low and it’s going to be a tough weekend. It will be over 100 degrees and it will be a long weekend mentally and physically. I’m in a good position now. I felt like I played well enough to shoot the score I shot, and I didn’t want to lose it on the last couple holes and I could have easily lost it. But I made two nice saves and was able to post 5 (under) for the day.”
Then came the “W” word.
“I think I’m not that far away from putting it together where I can win,” Woods said after his round. “Just be patient with it. A long way to go.”
Anything can happen over two days.
The co-leaders won’t scare anyone. Then there’s Francesco Molinari sitting there at eight-under with Billy Horschel. Molinari’s had a hot-hand in Europe the past month and the course at TPC Potomac suits his control game. He hit all 18 greens on Friday, on his way to 65.
Woods overshadowed a bunch of better scores on Friday.
Kevin Streelman shot 62 to get to six-under. Co-leader Gay, John Huh and Chesson Hadley all shot 64s.
There were low scores to had.
Woods was fortunate enough to get one himself.
Kept him in sniffing distance and they’ll be out in force to watch him wield that new putter again on Saturday, moving day.
Like Woods said — a long way to go.
