Tiger Woods’ last major came 10 years ago, at the 2008 US Open. In his most recent major outing — this year’s US Open — he failed to make the cut.
Now, at the Open Championship, Woods has secured his weekend spot at Carnoustie after shooting a second consecutive even-par 71.
Here are four key moments from his round today:
After an even par 71 Thursday, Tiger pulled his driver out of the bag for the first time this championship on No. 2 Friday. It didn’t go well.
The tee shot landed in a tough lie way right of the hole. So Tiger naturally aimed into the crowd.
Hey, uh guys, you may want to move back a little more #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/b28vEndIuB
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 20, 2018
That would lead to the first of back-to-back bogeys for Tiger, though he would only have two more the rest of the day.
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In danger of falling past the cut line, Tiger responded in style, draining a birdie on No. 4 and then sinking another one from distance (with a leg kick!) on No. 6.
He's rolling now. Back-to-back birdies for @TigerWoods.#TheOpen Live Stream: https://t.co/21NLQM5k0e pic.twitter.com/jVJN1L38hz
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 20, 2018
Two more birdies followed on the back nine, along with just one bogey.
Grinding. 3rd birdie of the day gets Tiger back to Even. #TheOpen Live Stream: https://t.co/21NLQM5k0e pic.twitter.com/It6vh2XQRi
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 20, 2018
Tiger in the #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/LydvBt1Cz3
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 20, 2018
Finally, on 18, Woods was back even when a beautiful approach left him with a birdie attempt to head into the weekend at 1-under. But a misread led to another 71.
A brilliant approach but @TigerWoods can only make par. Looking safe to be here at the weekend.
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/a30lEss6B2
“The fairways were a lot easier to hit today,” Woods said after the round. “Yesterday was a little more defensive, today, we could be a bit more offensive.”
With that mindset, it’s disappointing that Tiger couldn’t capitalize, but making the cut line (which was projected around 2-over when he finished) definitely leads to an interesting weekend.