His 66 – his lowest score at any major since the 2012 PGA Championship, and his lowest at The Open since winning in 2006 at Royal Liverpool – was the product of consistent swings, off-the-tee accuracy and a few longer putts, including a 50-footer at the ninth hole that was his longest made putt of the PGA TOUR season. “I’ve never been anywhere near before, but for two rounds I’m up there on the leaderboard”.
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“Sunday at Augusta was a big learning curve again for me because, even if I hadn’t won that tournament but I went down swinging and aggressive and committing to every shot, I would have walked away a lot happier”, he said.
“I’m just playing to my spots, ” he said.
Followed around the Scottish links by huge crowds and a circus of journalists and photographers, the 14-time major victor was at one point in a share of the lead after claiming a sixth birdie of the day at the 14th hole. He was six-under after scoring a birdie on the 14th hole.
Housemates Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner set the pace in the 147th Open Championship as Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy headed the European bid to end American dominance of golf’s majors. In terms of place, he is well back, sitting in a tie for 32nd – the seventh consecutive tournament in which he has not ended the first round in the top 10.
Despite their wretched luck, seven Australians made the halfway cut, led by major winners Adam Scott and Jason Day and fearless rookies Lucas Herbert and Cameron Davis, to give themselves a fighting chance of Open glory.
“It would be … better on Sunday”, Woods said after his 5-under 66 to get back into the mix.
After the hard, fast conditions of the opening round, the rain made the greens more receptive but the course was still difficult as the balls flew much more slowly through the air. Strategies changed. Slightly softer conditions meant power players who were going beyond the trouble hit more irons, and shorter players hit more drivers and fairway metals.
By the time play was complete, he got one better than that.
“He’s good”, said Kisner. He played Nos. 15-18 in even par on Thursday.
“Everyone acts like this is the first time I’ve been bandaged up. I doubt he’s been called Zach that many times”.
The three-time Open champion was level par for the tournament at the start of his third round, but took full advantage of flawless scoring conditions on Saturday afternoon. His low ball flight, grinding nature and good putting give him the right ingredients.
But it was a mixed day for the world’s leading players with Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth shooting one-over 72s and World No.1 Dustin Johnson a 76 after his triple bogey at the last.
Spieth began the day one one-over after dropping four shots in his last four holes on Thursday, but started heading up the leaderboard with a stroke of magic on the third – chipping in from off the green for a birdie.
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Woods’ 71 matched the best score of any player in the last 12 groups, and there were just five scores under par among the last 51 players to tee off.
