Text Size:   A   A   A
WGC - HSBC Champions - Round two

Posted: Friday, 06 November 2009 7:09AM

Woods Finds His Putting Edge To Share Shanghai Lead



SHANGHAI - Tiger Woods birdied his final hole to complete a second round five-under-par 67 that moved him into a share of the lead with American compatriot Nick Watney at the halfway stage of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Friday.

The world number one had spurned a raft of birdie chances early on another sunny day at the Sheshan International but made no mistake with a short putt at the 18th and joined first round leader Watney, who shot a 70, on 10-under for the tournament.

World number two Phil Mickelson picked up his sixth birdie of the day at the last for a 66 to stand a stroke behind the leaders, alongside compatriot Ryan Moore (69) and Spain's Alvaro Quiros (66) in a share of third.

Woods, runner-up on both his previous visits to Shanghai, backed off his opening drive a couple of times because of cameras clicking in the gallery but recovered his composure sufficiently to start his round with a birdie.

There followed a succession of missed birdie putts before an errant drive at the sixth left him bashing a rubbish bin with his club in frustration.

The error resulted in the sole blemish of his round but he finally got a putt down at the ninth and came home in four-under-par, the highlight of his back nine a 20-ft chip-in for birdie from the rough above a greenside bunker at the 16th.

GOOD START

"Today got off to a good start and I birdied the very first hole," Woods told reporters. "But after that, I didn't really make any putts. I had certainly some looks at them and didn't really capitalize on anything.

"It certainly was a little bit frustrating, but the guys weren't running off and hiding. I knew if I could just play the back nine at three under par... I figured that would probably be a pretty good number. And I did better than that."

Watney, who fired a course record equaling 64 in the first round, also finished strongly with birdies at his last two holes to make up for a double bogey at the fourth.

"Whatever the lead is at, that's not going to win the golf tournament so I need to go out and keep playing well and keep making birdies to have any shot," the 28-year-old Californian said.

Mickelson, the winner here two years ago, chipped-in twice in a round which also got better toward the end, with birdies at three of his last four holes.

"I'm pleased with where I put myself after two rounds," the lefthander added. "There's a lot of guys there and I'll need to play very well on the weekend, but I'm in a good position."

Anthony Kim hit a huge five wood on his way to eagling the 18th for a 69, which left him alone in sixth place on eight-under as Americans dominated the leaderboard.

South African Ernie Els hit a hole-in-one at the par three sixth hole but a couple of double-bogeys undid his good work and he registered a 71 for a share of 23rd on three-under.

Story Copyright 2009, Reuters Photo Copyright 2009, Getty Images

Tiger Woods Announces Golf Comeback At April Masters


Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday he would make his comeback to professional golf at the Masters in early April.

Giants, Jets Both To Play In New Stadium On Opening Weekend


The New York Giants will get the first game and the New York Jets will also play in their shared new home on the opening weekend.

Erin Andrews Peephole Stalker Lands In Jail


A Chicago insurance salesman was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Monday for making nude videos through hotel peepholes of television sports reporter Erin Andrews.

Few Surprises In Seeds As NCAA Bracket Announced


There were few surprises when the 65-team NCAA championship bracket was announced on Sunday.

Woods Crash Ambulance Crew Cited Domestic Violence


The ambulance crew that took golfer Tiger Woods cited domestic violence after his car crash months ago.

Tomlinson Charges Across Country To NY Jets


Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has signed with the New York Jets, the team said on Sunday on its Web site.

Bronocs Acquire Quarterback Quinn From The Browns


The Denver Broncos have acquired quarterback Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for fullback Peyton Hillis.

Clottey Aims To Seize Surprise World Title Chance


The Cowboys Stadium stages its first big fight Saturday when Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against Ghana's Joshua Clottey.

Vonn Wins Third Successive World Cup


Lindsey Vonn of the United States skied through more pain on Friday to win the women's overall World Cup title for the third year running.

Gang Member Convicted Of Murdering Broncos Player


A member of a Denver-area Crips street gang was convicted on Thursday in the 2007 murder of Denver Broncos football player Darrent Williams.

Sidney Crosby's Golden Goal Stick Found


An Olympic mystery was solved on Wednesday when officials said they had located the stick Sidney Crosby used to win the men's hockey gold medal.

Marion Jones To Play In WNBA


Disgraced Olympic sprinter Marion Jones signed a contract Wednesday to play with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock in a bid to revive her athletic career.

Pacquiao Confident Speed Can Trump Clottey's Size


Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey's size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday.

Woods Practice Reports Set Tour Tongues Wagging


Media reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return to action for the world number one.

Edwards Receives Three-Race Probation For Atlanta Incident


Carl Edwards avoided suspension but received a three-race probation period from NASCAR after intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski in last Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500.
KGMI News/Talk 790 on Facebook
Shop Sunset Square!
Ad Image