Even Tiger no match for Mother Nature
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
July 3, 2009
After 64, Woods wants Congressional to play harder and faster
Tiger Woods says he’d like to see Congressional play tougher for his AT&T National, but admits there’s one thing even he can’t control — the weather.
Wednesday night’s storm dumped enough water on Congressional Blue to soften the 7,255-yard course, especially for those who teed off in the morning. Defending champion Anthony Kim took advantage of the conditions to fire a course-record 62. In the afternoon, Woods shot a 64.
“You can be so aggressive out there — fire at a lot of flags. The fairways get wide, because it’s not going to run out,” said Woods. “If you get aggressive and get it going, you can post a number out here.”
Woods posted his number with putting vastly improved over his frustrating performance on the greens at the U.S. Open. Woods got around Congressional in 27 putts, sinking 146 feet worth. He made a 48-foot putt at No. 2 and a 30-footer at No. 12, both for birdies.
“I hit some nice putts — two bombs out there,” said Woods. “I hit a lot of putts on line. Some went in … The whole idea is to have consistent speed. If you’re speed is good, you can turn it around.”
Woods made four other birdie putts from between nine and 12 feet. Woods’ lone bogey came when he hit his approach into a bunker at No. 11, which played tougher (4.4 stroke average) than any hole at Congressional Thursday.
“I’d like to get the greens faster, but you can’t do it when you get a half inch of rain overnight,” said Woods. “If we get no rain and this place starts drying out a little bit, we can get these things up to speed.”
Molder in good company
Playing alongside a guy having a career year rubbed off on Bryce Molder Thursday.
Three weeks after playing with Brian Gay and finishing as runner-up to him in the St. Jude Classic, Molder posted his fifth consecutive round in the 60s, firing a 64 in the opening round at Congressional.
“There are so many guys that bomb it,” said Molder, who ranks 147th in driving distance. “But [Gay] putts it so well and keeps the ball in play, I think the biggest part of playing with him, what meant so much, was just seeing that he’s extremely comfortable with who he is as a player, as a person out there.”
Molder birdied six of the first eight holes with putts of 16, five, three, five, 21, and six feet. His back nine was routine — one birdie and one sand save.
Molder, 30, is from Arkansas and was a four-time All-American and former NCAA Player of the Year at Georgia Tech.
Furyk boosted by troops
In a threesome with Anthony Kim (62) on Thursday, Jim Furyk (66) played second fiddle. His 4-under-par score could have been better. He missed putts inside 15 feet on the final three holes.
Furyk was lifted emotionally by attending a barbecue at Walter Reed Hospital, where he visited wounded warriors.
“You think you want to go there and try to cheer some people up,” said Furyk. “And you leave there just in awe of their attitude and how tough they are, and they end up inspiring you.”
Furyk has not had a win in nearly two years. His last victory was in the Canadian Open in July of 2007. Since then, Furyk has posted 16 top 10s and won more than $6 million.
kdunleavy@washingtonexaminer.com
Examiner staff writer Craig Stouffer contributed to this report.
