Despite missing the cut for just the fifth time in his career at the PGA Championship, Tiger Woods showed glimpses of his old self during his second round at Valhalla.
He came into the round with a chance of making the cut after shooting a first-round 72 this past weekend at the PGA Championship; good for a 1-over par round. He started his second round rocky, however, shooting 7-over across his first four holes. Holes two and four netted triple bogeys, only the second and third of his PGA Championship career. He soon calmed down and demonstrated why he still at times remains the same Tiger Woods.
On the par-3, 173-yard 8th, Tiger Woods almost aced the hole. The ball landed only four inches away from the cup after his tee shot. It was good for his second straight birdie after he had previously made one on the seventh. The shot on eight, garnered much praise and a loud roar from the crowd.
After the 7-over par start across his first four holes, Woods was able to settle down and shoot 1-under par the rest of the way, this includes his miraculous shot on the eighth.
After the round, Woods commented on how he was able to settle down after the first four holes. He may have been disappointed with the overall result this past week but will reflect on the performance and rebound the only way he can.
“Just keep fighting,” Woods said. “Keep the pedal on, keep fighting, keep grinding, keep working hard at posting the best score that I can possibly post today. That’s all I can do. It’s going to be a lot, but I’m going to fight until the end.”
Woods announced he plans on playing at the next major which will be Pinehurst No. 2 this June. He will look to rebound and make the cut at the U.S. Open in a few weeks.
In 2000 Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship at Valhalla after a memorable playoff against Bob May. This past week didn’t go well, but once again Woods captured the crowd’s imagination. On the 18th, his final hole of the tournament, Tiger made a birdie to get his round in the red.
It was a small but memorable moment for everyone at Valhalla.
