- Tiger Woods is two off the lead at Valspar Championship after day two in Florida
- Woods is four under par for the tournament and aiming for a first win since 2013
- The 14-time major champion is tied with Paul Casey and Brandt Snedeker
- Canadian Corey Summers stormed to the top of the leaderboard on Friday
A sporting miracle to rank alongside the most mind-boggling in history has now moved into view following another remarkable day of progress in the comeback of Tiger Woods.
Playing alongside Henrik Stenson and Jordan Spieth, the 42-year-old American made the last two winners of The Open look like a pair of pro-am playing partners by comparison, as he posted a wonderful 68 in the second round of the Valspar Championship in Tampa.
All the agonies he’s been through over recent years suddenly appeared nothing more than a bad dream, as Tiger tamed the difficult Copperhead course with a display that showcased all his incomparable artistry.
Tiger Woods goes into the weekend two off the lead at Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour
Was there anyone among us a year ago who thought he’d reach the top of a leaderboard once more? Now all bets are off, as he attempts to reach the magical number of 80 PGA Tour victories this weekend. The all-time record is 82, set by the legendary Sam Snead.
As for the Masters in a month’s time, Woods was playing with the favourite to claim the green jacket – and he beat Spieth by nine shots over the course of 36 holes.
On this day, there were no weaknesses in Tiger’s game. Off the tee, he smashed his drive on his fourth – the 13th on the card – 39 yards past the well-struck ball of Spieth. From the fairways Woods gave himself plenty of birdie chances, while even a fried-egg lie in a bunker at his 11th couldn’t disturb him, as he gouged it out superbly to 5ft.
The 14-time major champion is targeting his first professional win in three years
Then there was his putting. There were so many good putts but none were better than at his 17th hole, where he stood over a 20ft effort to remain bogey-free. Down it went to produce one of those Tiger fist pumps we feared we’d never see again.
Only at the last was there a trace of nerves, as he missed from 6ft to drop his only shot.
Woods is two off the lead after Canadian Corey Conners stormed to the top of the leaderboard at six under par. Woods is tied with Englishman Paul Casey – who shot a fine 68 of his own – and fellow American Brandt Snedeker.
Woods lines up a putt during the second round of the PGA Tour event in Florida
Outside the ropes, it appeared that half of Tampa had gathered to cheer Woods on, and heaven knows what it will be like this weekend.
One thing’s for sure: the miracle is most definitely on.