Tiger back in business

Tiger Woods shot his best round of 2015 so far to remain right in the hunt after two rounds of the Quicken Loans National in Virginia.

The former World No 1 followed up a battling 68 with a classy five-under-par 66 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Friday to move to eight under par for the tournament.

That looked set to be right near the top of the leaderboard at the conclusion of the day’s play, with David Lingmerth having set the clubhouse mark at nine under.

Starting from the back nine, Woods’ round started in pedestrian fashion, with four pars preceding a bogey-six at the par-five 14th.

But he would turn up the heat from that point on, playing his last 13 holes in six under par courtesy of six birdies to rocket up the leaderboard.

He’s ranked ninth in the field from tee to green so far this week, and has hit an impressive 28 of 36 greens in regulation.

Commenting after his round, Woods said his solid showing was just rewards for the work he’s put in on and off the course.

“As I said, I have been through this before and you make changes to the game, it takes a little time sometimes and got to be patient with it and I know what I’m doing out there,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time before things start to click in and get more jelled and things that – the new patterns become more natural.

“I’m in a good spot. I’m looking forward to the weekend. I’m looking forward to getting after it.”

While the round was his best of the year so far (he also shot a 66 at the Greenbrier Classic, but that was on a par-70 course), Woods was adamant it could have been even better.

“I hit the ball really well today,” he added. “I was very pleased with that and made a few putts but also I missed a bunch, too. This could have been one of those really low rounds.”

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