More misery for Woods and Westy

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bruced
August 6, 2010

Tiger Woods’ hopes of preventing Phil Mickelson’s replacing him at the top of the world rankings are looking bleak.

Embattled Tiger Woods’ hopes of preventing Phil Mickelson’s replacing him at the top of the world rankings list this week suffered another setback on the second day of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
The American carded an over-par round for the second day running as he slumped to six over par and near to the foot of the leaderboard following a second-round 72.
Mickelson, along with England’s Lee Westwood, has the chance to depose Woods as world number one this weekend and can do so with a top-four finish coupled with Woods finishing outside the top 44.
Woods certainly appears set to uphold his end of the bargain, while Mickelson was in a tie for fourth place on five under overall after picking up a birdie over the opening two holes of his second round today.
Westwood’s threat to Woods’ ranking is almost certainly over, however, after he shot a dismal second-round 76 to slip a shot behind the American at seven over par.
Fourteen-time major winner Woods carded birdies on the 15th, sixth and ninth, but five bogeys sabotaged his round to leave his 270-week reign as world number one hanging by a thread.
Westwood’s hopes of usurping Woods faded within minutes of his second round getting under way, with bogeys at his first two holes – the 10th and 11th – setting the tone.
Five bogeys and just one birdie over the remaining holes continued the misery for the Englishman.
With no cut at Firestone Country Club in Akron, both Woods and world number three Westwood will have the opportunity to redeem themselves this weekend, although they will not be a threat to the leaders, with clubhouse pacesetter Retief Goosen on seven under par after a second-round 66.
The South African’s round featured five birdies and a bogey on the 18th as he led the way by a stroke from America’s Justin Leonard, who also posted a four-under 66 today.
Overnight leader Bubba Watson was at even par through five holes of his second round as he kept himself well in contention.
Mickelson’s early exploits moved him into a share of fourth place alongside Sweden’s Peter Hanson, who shot a four-under 66, and America’s Bo Van Pelt, who shot 68 to follow yesterday’s three-under-par effort.
Australia’s Adam Scott, England’s Paul Casey, Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, American Nick Watney and last year’s US Open champion Lucas Glover were all back in the clubhouse and tied for seventh place after moving to four under overall.

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