Tiger Woods came up just shy of joining the list of players to shoot a 59 on the PGA Tour, but leads the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational by seven strokes after carding a 9-under 61 on Friday.
Tiger Woods shoots 61 in 2nd round of 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Tiger Woods blistered Firestone Country Club on Friday, but ran out of birdies at No. 13 and was unable to join the 59 club.
Gregory Shamus
Woods started his round in nearly perfect fashion. He birdied No. 1 to get things rolling, then followed that up with an eagle at the par-5 second hole. A birdie at No. 3 moved him to 4-under through three holes and 59 watch was officially on. After the roaring start, Woods cooled off a bit over the final six holes on the front nine with five pars and one birdie.
Still, he made the turn at 30 and was in prime position to card a record-setting round. Those chances only increased as he began the back nine. If Woods was hot early in his round, he was close to bursting into flames early on the back nine. He birdied the first four holes and was 9-under on the round through 13 holes. Woods needed two birdies on his final five holes to shoot a 59 and just one birdie for a personal PGA Tour record.
It wasn’t to be, however, as Woods missed a couple of birdie putts and failed to take advantage of a couple of other opportunities coming in. He appeared to be in prime birdie position at No. 16, but his approach shot from 100 yards sailed way over the pin, leaving a long birdie try. He stuck his approach close at the 17th, needing a birdie-birdie finish for 59, but missed a makeable putt.
Woods needed an eagle at No. 18 for a 59. That possibility was taken out off the tee when his drive found some thick rough. His second shot found more trouble and he was forced to take a free drop from a hospitality area. His third shot rolled by the pin and left a long 25-foot par putt. Woods capped his round in style, rolling in the long, breaking putt for the round of 61.
He gave it a legitimate run, but despite seven birdies and an eagle, Woods was unable to hit 59. Here is a look at the PGA Tour’s 59 club, which will remain at five members ... for now.
Stuart Appleby -- TPC Old White, 2010
Paul Goydos -- TPC Deere Run, 2010
David Duval -- PGA West Palmer Course, 1999
Chip Beck -- Sunrise GC, 1991
Al Geiberger -- Colonial CC (Memphis), 1977
Woods’ second round was the fifth time he’s shot a 61 during his PGA Tour career. He shot a 61 at Firestone in 2000 and went on to win the 2000 WGC-NEC Invitational by 11 strokes.
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