CHASKA, Minn. — A news conference moderator reminded reporters Friday that Tiger Woods is the “36-hole leader” of the PGA Championship.
OK, it only feels like the tournament is already over.
At 7-under par, Woods leads the field by four shots — but it feels more like 40. Even Padraig Harrington, probably the biggest threat to Woods’ coronation, seems resigned to fighting for second.
“If Tiger plays the golf he’s capable of over the weekend,” Harrington said, “then he will be the winner.”
Woods started his second round with a bogey and ended with one. In between he all but mastered the difficult conditions at Hazeltine National, where wind gusts threw shots — and putts — off line and the greens dried out in record time.
“It was a different golf course today,” said Minnesota native Tom Lehman, who is tied for 38th at 2-over par. “That’s the thing about Hazeltine I’ve always noticed — how quickly it can go from being somewhat soft to as hard as a rock. The greens were a little bumpy and quite fast.”
Woods didn’t crack many smiles Friday but he did grin after calling the greens “a little bouncy” — apparently a major understatement.
Mostly, Woods was deadly serious. It’s his last chance to win a major in 2009, and he has no plans to ease up.
Woods was not impressed to learn he has won his last 12 PGA Tour events when he has had a lead after two rounds.
For the record, he’s also 8-for-8 in majors after a 36-hole lead.
“Just because I’m 12-for-12 doesn’t mean anything (today),” he said. “You have to play. Those things I did 12 times doesn’t do a bit of good (today).”
Woods will be paired with three-time major winner Vijay Singh, who shot an even-par 72 to go with his opening-round 69. Singh is among five players at 3-under, including Harrington and 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover.
Singh is ranked 12th in the world but hasn’t done much this year. His best finish is a tie for sixth at Colonial.
Singh, 46, has drawn inspiration from Tom Watson’s British Open run.
“If he can compete at 59, I think I’ll be able to do it in my 50s,” he said.
Woods certainly respects what Singh has accomplished — and what he still might.
“I know Vijay won’t make a lot of mistakes,” he said. “He’s going to be very consistent.”
Woods derived his most pleasure Friday from watching Harrington pull off a remarkable shot on the 640-yard 15th hole.
Harrington was 301 yards from the upslope of a fairway bunker, and he hit a 3-wood that bounced over a greenside bunker and through the rough, settling about 16 feet from the cup. His eagle putt lipped out.
“Tiger told me he would have paid to have seen (that shot),” Harrington said. “So I asked him for $50.”
Walking tall
Ernie Els.
Followed an opening-round 75 with a 4-under-par 68 Friday and moved back into contention for a major, something he hasn’t done for quite awhile.
Lucas Glover.
U.S. Open champion validates his win at Bethpage Black with a 70 on Friday, and he’s at 3-under for the championship.
Ross Fisher.
Bogeys on the last two holes spoiled a great round, but he still shot 68 to remain within striking distance of the lead.
Downward spiral
Phil Mickelson.
Back-to-back 74s (4-over-par total) earns two more rounds of golf, but just barely.
Steve Stricker.
Some experts considered him a strong contender. But, no. He went 74-77, not even close to the cut line.
Colin Montgomerie.
After going 75-78, maybe his major championship days are over.
Tiger tales
Halfway home.
Three players took turns sharing the lead with Tiger Woods until he stood alone at the PGA Championship.
The final hour at Hazeltine changed everything.
Woods fired off three consecutive birdies, which began with a drive onto the fringe of the 299-yard 14th hole and ended with Woods nodding his head and dangling his tongue out of the side of his mouth after making a 20-footer.
He finished with a 2-under-par 70 to build a four-shot lead, his largest through 36 holes at a major since the 2005 British Open at St. Andrews, when he led by five.
Woods is 8-0 when leading a major through 36 holes, and his chances only improved as everyone around him faltered.
“In order to have a lead in a major championship, you can’t be playing poorly,” said Woods, who was at 7-under 137. “All those times, I’ve been playing well. And I’m playing well now. ” — The Associated Press
