Tiger Woods got caught in the Bear Trap on Friday, but bit back with a late birdie to sign for 1-over 71 on a difficult day at PGA National, where he sits four off the lead heading into the weekend at the Honda Classic.
Woods started at even par in Round 2 and began Friday with a bogey at the par-4 second, before getting that stroke back with a birdie at the par-4 fourth:
Drive. 🎯
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 23, 2018
Approach. 🎯
Putt. 🎯
Picture perfect.@TigerWoods makes his first birdie of the day. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/FLLjfPlyTJ
Following four consecutive pars, Woods birdied the par-4 ninth to turn in 1-under 34.
BIRDIE for @TigerWoods.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 23, 2018
He's now T10.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/e2ADCi2RUv
At 1 under for the tournament, Woods was tied for 10th place, three off the lead, when he began the back nine at PGA National. He remained there with this enthusiastic par save at the par-4 11th.
Dear Tiger fist pump,
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 23, 2018
We've missed you. Welcome back.
💪#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/cWXPbK0Sxw
Tiger poured in three more pars at was just two off the 3-under pace when he rinsed his tee shot at the par-3 15th, leading to a double bogey. He dropped another shot and fell to 2 over when he three-putted 16.
But he wouldn’t leave the Bear Trap at a total loss. At the diabolical par-3 17th, Woods wowed the jam-packed stands with a flagged 5-iron iron and a 12-foot putt for birdie, pulling him back to plus-1 for the week.
A sweet approach ✅
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 23, 2018
A bounce-back birdie ✅
Tiger is back to T15.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/zMYrPbGynp
Woods would go on to par the closing hole, leaving him in a tie for 14th with two rounds to play.