What does Tiger Woods think of the greens at Pebble Beach now?
After calling them “awful” on Thursday when he failed to make a birdie, Woods apparently has figured out the slick, splotchy, poa annua surfaces. On Saturday he made eight birdies on his way to a third round 65 that puts him squarely in contention at the U.S. Open. With leaders Greame McDowell (5-under) and Dustin Johnson (4-under) making the turn, Woods is at 1-under, alone in third place.
On a day when only one other player was under par on the back nine, Woods fired a brilliant back-nine 31. His 265-yard 3-wood approach, under a tree, over water, and hole-high to the back of the green on No. 18 was reminiscent of his spectacular shot-making two years ago in the third round at Torrey Pines (also a prime-time Saturday night live show).
It sets up for a fascinating Sunday with Woods pursuing his 15th major championship after some had written him off when he shot an opening-round 74. What they didn’t realize was that even in his subpar round, Woods had corrected the swing flaws that had hampered him this season.
His putting has been stellar all season. He came into the tournament ranked No. 1 on the tour in putting (1.71 putts per hole). All he needed to do was figure out the dreaded poa.
