Tiger Woods roared back into contention, after a stunning second round of 63 moved him to within one shot of the leaders at the halfway stage. It was a clinic from the world number one, as he compiled a blemish free round that comprised on nine birdies to move within touching distance of Justin Walters, Ian Poulter, Victor Dubuisson and Henrik Stenson who all lead at 12-under at the Turkish Airlines Open.
However, it was a wager between Stenson and Poulter that would grab much attention on Friday. With Graeme McDowell not in the field, the Englishman is the most prominent obstacle to Stenson’s charge to become the first player to win the FedEx Cup and Race to Dubai in the same year. They would have a bet to see which one would finish higher in the money list, with the Swede offering Poulter odds of 10/1 at $100.
Fittingly, they find themselves tied at the top at the halfway stage in Turkey. Poulter followed up his 66 from the opening round with another in the afternoon, to join South African Walters and talented Frenchman Dubuisson at the summit.
Stenson had begun the day in stunning fashion, returning first thing in the morning to complete the final eight holes of his first round in four-under to take the lead after the delayed opening round. As he returned to the course for his second round, birdies were hard to come by as he made nine consecutive pars on his front nine. However, the resurgent Swede would come alight once again on the back nine, as made birdies at the 10th, 14th, 15th and 18th to add to the cosmopolitan flavour at the top of the leaderboard.
The Swede is continuing the remarkable form that has seen him rise from the depths of the game to the very top, despite suffering from a recurring wrist problem.
“But it's not in a great state. I have inflammation there, and I strained something else yesterday, as well before I teed off.
So it's not in great shape and I'm just hanging in there day by day and hope it keeps together for another couple of days.”
Poulter had to fight hard at times throughout his second round, and illustrated his ability around the greens by chipping in for birdie at the 14th, and making a lengthy birdie putt on the 16th. Those two moments of magic garnered birdies, and he would make another on the closing hole to compliment the birdies on the fourth, ninth and 13th.
When asked on whether this bet had added an extra touch of spice to proceedings, Poulter was bullish when stating: “I guess there must be because he's right there as well. He doesn't want to pour any drinks for me on this night out so we'll have to wait and see.”
The 37-year-old also stated that he is excited for the weekend ahead. “It's nice to play some great golf. Back end of the year, I've kind of always played well, and you know, it's going to be a fun end to the season.”
23-year-old Victor Dubuisson would impress on Friday, posting a second round of 65 despite a dropped shot on the 17th. He ascended to the top of the leaderboard after four straight birdies after the turn, and he looked to have pulled clear after a birdie on the 16th, before that dropped shot on the penultimate hole. However, he would close with a birdie on the last, which places him handily in this lucrative event as he seeks his first victory on the European Tour.
Justin Walter is also seeking his first win, as he continues to provide one of the great stories of this season. A month ago, the South African looked certain to lose his card, but stunningly finished second in the Portugal Masters just two weeks after his mother tragically passed away. After making a long putt on the last in Portugal, Walters would break down in tears after securing his card amidst the most emotional and difficult of periods.
However, the round of the day would come from the world number one Tiger Woods, who would shake off any sign of apparent rust when completing a scintillating second round of 63. While still somewhat wayward off the tee, the other components of Woods’ game were immense, and it saw him reel off five birdies on the front nine to go out in just 30 shots. He would not quite match that form on the back nine, but three further birdies at the tenth, 15th and 17th would complete a triumphant day with a closing birdie before signing autographs for the many fans in attendance.
I'm right there; that’s the whole idea,” said Woods. “Got two more days of hopefully making a lot of birdies.
“Hit a lot of good shots and made some putts but, like I was saying over there, I missed quite a few putts today that were within ten feet, so it could have been one of those really low, special rounds, but I'll take it.
“And this golf course lends itself to making a lot of birdies, we have five par 5s and a couple short par 4s and the greens are really receptive. You just have to make a bunch of birdies.”
With the course being so receptive, the fourteen time major champion is well aware that continued low scoring is a necessity if he wishes to claim his 41st European Tour sanctioned title.
“We know it's going to take something really low. You're going to have to go 20 plus probably to win this tournament.
“Forecast is supposed to be like this the rest of the week, so if that's the case, just expect that guys are going to be aggressive and guys are going to make a lot of birdies.”
It was a great day for Tiger, but you wouldn’t bet against Stenson and Poulter furthering their own little wager throughout the weekend ahead.