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Tiger Woods’ surge in Greensboro has golf world wondering ‘What if ... ?’

The punditry scoffed when Tiger told us he was close to regaining his world-beating form. Even notable naysayers are giddy with excitement -- and making playoff plans -- after Woods climbs to the top of the leaderboard in Greensboro.

Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Considering the way Twitter reacted to Tiger Woods’ surge into a share of the two-day advantage at the Wyndham Championship, it would seem the entire golf world is smoking crack.

No sooner had Woods buried an eagle putt after a heat-seeking missile to 10 feet on the 15th hole at Sedgefield CC, than the punditry went berserk with fantasies about Tiger running the table in the postseason.

For sure, it’s been a long while -- more than two years, in fact -- since Woods has been atop a PGA Tour leaderboard at the midpoint.

So the hyperbole sparked by the excitement of seeing the 286th-ranked player in the world turning back the clock and playing like he still owned the No. 1 spot was understandable.

Organizers of next week’s first leg of the four-game FedEx Cup series, must be pinching themselves.

The golfer himself has been adamant -- even during his worst season as a professional that includes three straight missed cuts in major championships -- that he was close to a breakthrough in the fourth overhaul of his swing. Pundits have rolled their eyes every time Woods talked about his “feels,” the progress he insisted he was making in his “process,” and how he was in it to win it.

Friday was no different for the 79-time tour victor.

“It’s just part of the process,” Woods said after adding a 5-under 65 to Thursday’s opening 64. “I want to win this tournament. I came here to win it and right now I’m in pretty good shape.”

Atypical was the online reaction to the run Woods went on in only his second competitive round ever on the Donald Ross-designed Greensboro track.

Even noted Tiger critic Brandel Chamblee could not help but project two days into the future.

How could one not? There was the stuffed wedge shot from 110 yards on the par-4 eighth hole after his second bogey of the day.

And the near-ace on the par-3 12th that led to Tiger’s fourth of five birdies on the day.

At the risk of throwing a wet blanket on the proceedings, there are plenty of holes left to play before Woods can set his jet’s GPS for Edison, N.J. Entering the week at 187th in playoff standings, Tiger needs a win or solo second-place finish to have a chance to make it to the postseason.

But reality bites, so back to the star-gazers. Let’s all enjoy this Friday flashback as long as we can because Tiger can’t possibly turn around his miserable 2015 campaign and rewrite the season’s narrative (Jordan who?) in four days in North Carolina. Right?

As for Tom Hoge, the 2014 Web.com graduate who’s living the dream as Woods’ co-leader and Saturday golf date, we have but three words: buckle up, son.

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SB Nation video archives: Urban golfing with a U.S. Open champ (2012)

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