With low scores continuing to pile up at the Wyndham Championship, a big name has moved to the top of the leaderboard. Here’s how things stand at the halfway point in Greensboro, where Tiger Woods has a share of the lead:
Leaderboard: Tiger Woods (-11), Tom Hoge (-11), Davis Love III (-10), Chad Campbell (-10), Brandt Snedeker (-9), Bill Haas (-9), Nick Watney (-9), Scott Brown (-9), Carl Pettersson (-9)
What it means: Woods began the day two shots back, but he followed an opening 64 with a 5-under 65. With just two bogeys through 36 holes, Woods has turned a surprise appearance in the Tar Heel State into a chance to build some much-needed momentum, and his hopes of a playoff berth with a victory this week remain very much alive.
Round of the day: Snedeker appeared in danger of missing the cut after an opening 70, but he bounced back with a 9-under 61 that tied the tournament record. Snedeker got hot with the flat stick, making all 16 putts he faced from 15 feet and in and capping his round with a 52-foot birdie bomb on No. 9, his final hole of the day.
Best of the rest: Woods once again appeared confident in his trip around Sedgefield Country Club. He opened with a three-putt bogey and failed to get up and down on the par-3 7th, but along the way he added five birdies and an eagle, including a four-hole stretch from Nos. 12-15 that he played in 4 under to grab a share of the lead.
Biggest disappointment: Playing alongside Woods, Hideki Matsuyama ballooned to a 3-over 73 in the second round, and at 2 under he missed the cut by a shot. Matsuyama was 1 under through eight holes before the wheels came off, with bogeys on Nos. 9 and 12 sandwiched around a costly double bogey on No. 10 after a flubbed chip.
Main storyline heading into Saturday: The story, as it has been all week, is Woods. He surprised many with his decision to tee it up at Sedgefield, but he has clearly found something on this old Donald Ross layout. Now atop a leaderboard for the first time in nearly two years, he’ll look to distance himself from the pack while playing with Hoge, who has as many rounds on the PGA Tour (79) as Woods has wins.
Shot of the day: Woods had 230 yards in for his approach to the par-5 15th, but he roped an iron to within 10 feet. The subsequent eagle gave the crowds another reason to cheer, and it gave Woods his first share of the lead.
Quote of the day: “I want to win this tournament. I came here to win it, and right now I’m in good shape.” - Woods
