Woods sizzles with 61 to seize lead
World number one Tiger Woods matched the low round of his career with a nine-under-par 61 on Friday to seize a seven-stroke lead after the second round of the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.
Woods, playing his final tuneup for next week’s last major tournament of the year at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill, fired an eagle and seven birdies to finish 36 holes on 13-under 127.
“I’m very happy I was able to post that,” Woods said. “I just kept thinking, whatever lead I had, let’s just keep increasing it. It’s at seven now so that’s not too bad after two days.”
Woods matched the Firestone Country Club course record of 61 he posted in 2000, when he won by 11 strokes with a record-low 72 hole total of 21 under par, and flirted with breaking the PGA record-low of 59 before settling for par on each of the final five holes.
“Disappointed? Absolutely not,” Woods said. “A 61 is pretty good. I’m not bummed.”
England’s Chris Wood and American Keegan Bradley shared second on 134 after each fired a 68. Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and American Bill Haas are fourth on 135. Aside from two at Firestone, Woods fired his other 61s at the 1999 Byron Nelson Championship and the 2005 Buick Open.
Woods sensed the crowd’s excitement as he played the final holes, with murmurs of 59.
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