The 50,000 + gallery broke out in deafening roars at least three times on Saturday in response to one of the most incredibly exciting rounds golf has ever seen. Tiger Woods, playing through increasing pain, began the round with a double bogey at the 1st and another bogey on 4. Often grimacing in pain at the end of a swing, it became obvious that the knee was taking a beating.
Then it happened on the 615 yard par 5-13th. His drive went awry far to the right into the gallery. But he was able to make an incredible shot to the back of the green. It was a dangerous 66 feet to an eagle that, if it should miss, could go all the way down the hill back into the fairway. But the Tiger put it in the hole. The crowd went wild and so did he. The roar must have been heard miles away. That put him at a minus 1 within two of the lead.
However, he bogied the next hole retreating back to even par. Next he had a couple of pars and then a bad lie in the rough as a result of an extremely painful approach shot at the par 4-17th. His third shot looked like an impossibility and saving par looked pretty bleak. However, his chip shot out of the rough, took one bounce and dropped into the hole. It was unbelievable and laughable. The crowd went wild and Tiger could only shake his head and laugh. He was back to 1 under.
In the meantime, Rocco Mediate came back to even par from the lead and Lee Westwood was leading at 2 under. Westwood went into the Clubhouse from 18 with two under.
On the 573 yard par 5-18th, Tiger somehow managed to put his ball on the back of the green in two. He no longer had two legs, so he had to come up with a unique cut that took some of the pressure off the knee. From there he made the most unbelievable, impossible 30 foot eagle for a three under par to take the lead. The crowd went wild.
Can the knee survive today? Can he handle 18 holes on Sunday? If he can get through the rest of the tourney, can he win it? One thing is certain: He is going to get tons of support from the fans. This has been an amazing day at Torrey Pines!
Marion
