Tiger Woods posted a 3-under par 68 at Innisbrook on Friday and holds a share of the clubhouse lead at the Valspar Championship.
Woods, who started on the back nine at the Copperhead course, made birdies on Nos. 12 and 13 to quickly reach 2 under after four holes. Two more gains going home on Nos. 2 and 5 gave Woods the solo lead at 5-under par, but a bogey on the par-4 9th hole saw him drop back to the 4-under par group.
“I hit it well today,” said Woods.
“You know this was – it was cold this morning, ball wasn’t flying very far, then as it started to warm up, ball started flying further and we had to make adjustments for yardages as it warmed – tomorrow will be warmer still, and the ball will be flying even further – and then towards the end, the wind was tough to get a bead on or where it was coming from.
“It’s just not consistent. It’s just tough.”
The 3-under 68 marks Woods’ best score during his four-start comeback stretch (12 rounds).
TIGER’S SCORECARD
TIGER’S STATS
Through 36 holes
Driving: 291.6 yards
Longest Drive: 346 yards
Fairways: 15 of 26 (57.7%)
Greens: 20 of 36 (55.6%)
Putts/GIR: 1.55
Scores: 22 Pars, 9 Birdies, 5 Bogeys
VIDEO: TIGER’S EARLY BIRDIES
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“I feel comfortable out there. Obviously this is a very difficult golf course. The margin is very small. I enjoy that aspect where you know par is a reward. You know, I don’t feel like I’m behind by making four pars in a row. You make a couple birdies here, you shoot up the board. I like that kind of golf, that kind of test.”
– Tiger Woods
