Woods three back despite pain, rough start

• By Bailey Mosier
• Aug 24, 2012 6:39 PM ET

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Despite an injury scare in the second round of The Barclays that had many wondering if Tiger Woods was going to withdraw, Woods shot a 2-under 69 that included two bogeys and four birdies.

He is 5 under through 36 holes and just three shots behind co-leaders Nick Watney and Sergio Garcia.

Woods started grimacing on the sixth hole.

Afterward he said the pain was in his lower back and it began Friday morning.

“Must have slept funny on it,” he said. “As I warmed up it got progressively worse and then you saw what happened on the golf course.”

Woods, who said he was never in danger of having to withdraw, said he will likely sleep on the floor tonight.

“I do it in Europe all the time."

When Woods opened with two bogeys, it looked like his day was destined to go south, but he made par and birdie the next two holes, then went on to birdie two of his next five. He made the turn at 1 under and had eight pars and one birdie on the back for his second-round 69.

Woods hit nine of 14 fairways, 13 of 18 greens and took 29 putts.

His biggest injury scare came at the 10th tee where he showed the most emotion, grimacing and acting as if he was in serious pain. Whatever his pain, he said it was something he could handle.

"It was like a section of movement ... It would grab before impact, so you'd kind of expect it," he said. "I've been through that stuff before, so I know what it feels like."

Woods went to the fitness van after the round to get his back looked at.

"I'm going there right now," he said in the post-round interview. "They're good at what they do and I'll be ready by tomorrow."

Playing partner Rory McIlroy shot 2-over 73 and sits at even par through 36 holes. Zach Johnson carded a second-round 75 and sits at 1 over, just inside the cut line.