Feb 23, 2018; Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA; Tiger Woods tees off on the 1st during the second round of The Honda Classic golf tournament at PGA National (Champion). Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Photo: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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He may not be “back” as golf fan and the PGA Tour could hope for, but having Tiger Woods on the leaderboard, only four shots back at PGA National at the Honda Classic going into Sunday’s final round is a boost the game doesn’t mind getting early in the season.

Bob Harig of ESPN.com wrote a 1-over-par 71 left him just four strokes back of leaders Luke List and Jamie Lovemark on a day when just 13 players broke par in difficult conditions. Only 10 players are under par through 36 holes.

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/22558408/tiger-woods-four-back-leader-honda-classic

“I feel like I’m right there,” Woods said after finishing at 141, 1 over par and in a tie for 14th. “I’m right where I can win a golf tournament. You know, four back on this golf course with 36 holes to go, anybody can win this golf tournament right now. It’s wide open.”

For Woods, it may be the start of something bigger than he is used to as the Tour heads toward its Florida swing. A win in Palm Beach Gardens would prove he is on the mend from spinal fusion which has depleted his game and left him more of a curiosity than a contender.

There are plenty of obstacles Woods must overcome, both mentally and physically, but as Harig explains, it is more than just a good sign for the golfer and the sport. Woods, since his arrival on the Tour, has been one of the more polarizing performers in sport’s history, consistently applying the best golf tips while on the golf course.

“I feel like I’m right there,” Woods said after finishing at 141, 1 over par and in a tie for 14th. “I’m right where I can win a golf tournament. You know, four back on this golf course with 36 holes to go, anybody can win this golf tournament right now. It’s wide open.”

The game has changed since Woods dominated every tournament he played and the 14 Majors he has won. There are more contenders on a weekly basis with Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose occupying the top five spots in the World Golf Rankings. Woods name is still the most popular in the sport, but the competition is more intense than it has been in a decade.

http://www.owgr.com/ranking

There are still holes in his game and questions about durability and desire to ascend to the top of the golf world as family and life outside the game have now occupied his time. Woods hit 8 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens during the second round and needed 28 putts. After getting within two shots of the lead with a birdie at the ninth hole, Woods missed good opportunities at the 10th and 12th before hitting his tee shot in the water at the par-3 15th.

“I thought 5 [iron] is too much, but I can’t get 6 there,” Woods said. “So that’s one of the reasons why I started thing pretty far left and hit a pretty big cut in there because I had just too much stick. Worked out great. I hit it right below the hole and hit a good putt.”

Woods tees off at 12:10 today along side Jason Duffner.

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