Tiger Woods is “in the mix” to win his first Major for 11 years despite being the WORST putter under five feet in the entire 87-man field at the Masters.
The American superstar is a stroke off a record five-way tie for the halfway lead at Augusta. All five stars are former Major winners, including Open champion Francesco Molinari.
But the former world No.1 missed putts at 16 and 18 to take a share of the lead.
And incredibly, he is ranked the worst for putts inside five feet of all the players teeing up in the first Major of the year. He is ranked first for putts over 20 feet.
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Woods said: “I felt like I left a few shots out there. I stayed patient and kept grinding and gave myself a few chances out there.
"I missed a few putts out there but I am not too bummed out about it because I hit it on my lines. I can lift with that.
"If I keep hitting my putts on line, they will start dropping. I was happy with my putting.”
Woods is tied sixth as nine men are within a shot of the lead to set up a thrilling weekend. His six-under score after 36 holes is his best here since 2011 as he seeks his first Major since the 2008 US Open.
“The last two Major championships I have been right there. That is three-in-a-row I have been in the mix. It is good stuff.
"I led in the last round of the British Open. I had a shot at it at the PGA with Brooksy (Koepka). I want to see the weather forecast before I work out my gameplan.”
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Woods even survived a sliding tackle from a security guard in a bizarre incident at the 14th.
After an afternoon rain delay, the former world No.1 played out from the trees and a security guard raced over to protect him only to slip and kick his right ankle. Woods hopped away in pain – but then walked to the green and drained a 28-feet birdie putt.
“It is what it is,” the American reported.
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“Accidents happen. We move on. I am good. I am fine. Other than four back surgeries and four knee surgeries, I am great.
“I have had galleries run over me. When you play in front of a lot of people, things happen.”
Rory McIlroy missed a short birdie putt on 18 to card a 71 and sit on even par in tied 36 – seven shots off the lead - after flirting with the cut-line.
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"It's been an up and down 36 holes for sure," said the pre-tournament favourite.
"I'm happy to be where I'm at, especially having to get up and down from 180 yards on the 15th to make par.
"To play the last four in one under to be safe for the weekend - well, I was staring bogey in the face at 15 and thinking I have to play the last three in even par to make the cut.
"To be here for the weekend and only seven back, I'm actually pretty pleased."
