Tiger Woods carded a two-over par 73 to fall five shots off the pace after Saturday’s second round of the $5,5-million PGA Deutsche Bank Championship.
”I didn’t hit it well, I didn’t putt well and I didn’t chip well,” Woods said. ”You could shoot a good number if you hit the ball well.”
Jeff Brehaut and Olin Browne are tied for the lead at nine-under 133. Brehaut fired a five-under 66, while Browne signed for a 65 that included seven birdies.
Tim Petrovic, Billy Andrade and Robert Allenby are tied for third at eight-under 134. Allenby fired a 65, Petrovic a 66 and Andrade signed for a 68.
Woods entered on Saturday with a one-shot lead but bogeyed three of his first eight holes and had just two birdies on the day.
He has finished second and seventh in the first two years of the event and gave early indications that the third time would be the charm by carding a 65 on Friday.
”A lot of the pins are in areas where if you pull up, you can hit the ball close with good-shaped shots,” Woods said. ”Unfortunately I didn’t hit the ball very good, so I wasn’t in those positions and I didn’t putt well, anyway.”
Brehaut, looking for his first PGA Tour victory, was able to take advantage of the conditions with a round that included an eagle on the par-five second and four birdies. His best previous finish was a third at the International this season, and he has two top-10s in his past four starts.
”I had a lot of chances today and it could have been better,” Brehaut said. ”I think what I’ve done the last couple of months has kind of helped me deal with it a little better. I’m starting to feel comfortable seeing my name up there. I’m starting to think, hey, if I can keep doing what I’m doing, I can get a trophy one of these weeks.”
Browne started on number 10 and was sizzling on his first nine with six birdies en route to a 29.
He played his final eight holes at one-over, with a three-putt bogey on number four and seven pars.
”The course is playing quite a bit differently than it did [on Friday]. It’s much faster and the greens are starting to firm up,” Browne said. ”I hit the ball solidly and I made only one bogey. I’m looking forward to playing [on Sunday] and the next day.”
Woods is the only top-10 player in the field, as Singh withdrew earlier in the week due to back spasms suffered while playing ping pong with his son.
Ernie Els is still recovering from knee surgery, while Scott and PGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson are not entered.
Last year, Woods saw his streak of 264 weeks at number one come to an end here as Vijay Singh fired four rounds in the 60s en route to a three-stroke victory over Woods and inaugural champion Adam Scott. — Sapa-AFP