Tiger Woods – you're hired. Donald Trump was in desperate need of an apprentice to help sell the virtues of his $250 million revamped Blue Monster course after all the negativity of Friday's windswept carnage. Tiger Woods duly stepped forward.
The World No 1 put on one of his trademark stellar performances in Saturday's third round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami. There were towering drives, exquisite bunkers shots, bombed putts and fist pumps.
Back in contention: Vintage Tiger Woods shot the best round of the day
All played out to soundtrack of his army of fans roaring their approval. It was vintage Woods: eight birdies in a six under par 66, the best round of the day. He has won here seven times and at one under par for the tournament, he is just three shots behind the leader, American Patrick Reed, who has won twice in the last seven months. Jason Dufner and Hunter Mahan are two under par with Wales' Jamie Donaldson at one under.
Remarkably, there was a point on Friday when Woods was seven over par and 10 shots adrift of the leaders. He was striding up fairways with all the athleticism of Lurch from the Addams Family and using his clubs as a walking stick to lean on as he picked up balls and tees. There were whispers of an impending withdrawal. Then, bang! He steamrollered a 92-foot birdie putt at the 3rd, which kick-started his comeback.
Woods is now eight under par for his last 24 holes. Amazing how a few holed putts can ease the pain of a collapsing back.
Impressive: Woods put on one of his trademark stellar performances
'Nice to get back in the tournament again,' Woods said.
'Nice to get back in the tournament again,' Woods said.
'I held it together yesterday (Friday), a long day, long, tough day and that gave me a chance. I figured, hey, I'm only six back, that's definitely doable, especially with the conditions and how difficult this course is playing. If I just get back to even par, I'll be right there. And I did one better.'
Tiger said that was his most complete round of the year but he can't hit any shots without thinking of his back.
'It's sore,' he said. 'And gets progressively worse as the day goes on. That's why I'm eating quickly. Got to keep moving. My therapists are doing a fantastic job of getting me playing.'
Painful: Rory McIlroy saw his hopes hit by two double bogeys
Eye-catching: Zach Johnson and Bubba Watson walk off the first tee
Sorry: Ian Poulter accepted apology from Hideki Matsuyama for damaging a green during second round
Rory McIlroy is going to need a therapist to get him to simply take a bath and cure his loathing of water. He splashed his ball into lakes at the 8th and 10th and racked up two double bogeys.
Pity. He was in cruise control at one under par and looking set to have a showdown with Woods. At least he showed his genius at the 18th, chipping in for birdie to finish at three over par for the tournament after a round of 75.
'Didn't play the par fives well,' McIlroy said. 'Four dropped shots. You can do that round here. Didn't play well,' he said.
'An easier day but still a grind. I shot 65 here in the last round last year to get myself in the top 10,' McIlroy said.
'I need something like that to have a chance to win.'
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