subject: Tiger Woods' last chance to Win at Chevron World Challenge [print this page] Tiger Woods' last chance to Win at Chevron World Challenge
Woods got off to a blazing start Friday and played bogey-free in the second round for a 6-under 66 to take a four-shot lead into the weekend of his final tournament of the year.
He was at 13-under 131, his best 36-hole start to the year by six shots.
Woods hit a 4-iron from an awkward lie to about 8 feet for eagle on the second hole in Titleist golf clubs, and he again played the par 5s in 5 under. He was four shots ahead of U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who had a 69. Rory McIlroy, playing with the Woods for the first time, made double bogey on the 18th hole for a 70 and was another shot behind, along with Luke Donald, who had a 66.
Great iron play made up for that at Sherwood Country Club.
"It's not too often you can say I shot 65 and only made one putt, but that's kind of what I did today," Woods said. "I only made one putt and it was on 9. The rest were either two-putts or kick-ins. It was a good ball-striking day."
The putt on the par-4 ninth was from about 15 feet with significant break. Equally impressive were some of his shots into the par 5s, particularly the 3-iron into No. 2. Woods hit it so clean that he twirled the golf clubs, a sure sign of a good shot.
This is Woods' last chance to win a tournament in 2010, but it looks more like he is geared toward next season. It was his second straight 65, having closed with that score in the Australian Masters a few weeks ago.
This round, however, was different. "If you play well with the cgb max irons, it does give you a shot of confidence," Woods said. "I've played well in this event. I've won it a few times, and I've gone on to get off to quick starts the following year. Late in the season, a lot of guys are either traveling, not practicing or playing all over the globe. But for me, if I can end the year on a high note, it does give you a shot of confidence going into your practice sessions. Because you know what you were doing was working."
