Tiger Woods takes solo lead at ZOZO Championship, historic 82nd win in sight
Tiger Woods couldn’t even be slowed down by a typhoon, as he cruised through the second round of the ZOZO Championship to take a two-stroke lead.
Tiger Woods has been a little hard to figure out lately. Is he truly fully healthy, or are the aches and pains still nagging him? Will he be on top of his game with frequent, extended breaks from competition? Both of those questions have been answered so far as a resounding “yes” at the ZOZO Championship.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was hesitant to pick Woods this week in Japan, especially considering how rocky his play was on Monday at the Japan Skins. However, with two “real” rounds of golf in the books – interrupted by a pesky typhoon on Friday that will force a Monday finish – I don’t see anybody beating Tiger Woods other than himself.
Tiger has been making history for almost a quarter century now (and significantly longer before he turned pro), and this time, history is on his side. Woods has held the 36-hole lead 33 times in his career. He’s converted those into victories 28 times, including a current streak of three in a row.
Even if he’s never truly going to be 100 percent again like we got used to before 2013, there’s no way today’s version of Tiger Woods gives up any cushion when he’s feeling it. And speaking of history, let’s not forget about the biggest number looming just 36 holes in his future: 82. As in 82 official PGA TOUR wins, which would tie Woods with Sam Snead for the most victories of all time.
It just feels like that kind of a week, doesn’t it? The first official PGA TOUR event to be played in Japan, with the most decorated player in a generation leading, and overcoming Mother Nature to tie a record that seemed like it would be shattered a decade ago.
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Heck, back then I wouldn’t have guessed that Tiger would spend a weather-delayed Friday afternoon watching a movie and getting Domino’s (shoutout to Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland, Bubba Watson and Ryan Palmer), much less returning to action and dominating the following morning. Destiny is a funny thing, and sometimes you’re just along for the ride.
On the course, Woods has been as consistent as possible, especially considering his three-bogey effort to open the tournament on Thursday. He torched the back nine of Accordia Narashino for five birdies on Saturday, heating up after going just 1-under on the front nine to overtake Woodland for the solo lead. Counting his 10th-hole start in the first-round, Woods is 10-under on each of his “back nine” efforts so far this week, and just 2-under on the fronts. That’s the type of closing power he can use to maintain – and extend – his lead going into the marathon finish.
Speaking of that marathon finish, it’s understandable if you’re concerned that a possible 27-hole effort on Sunday, meant to minimize the holdover into Monday, could play against the soon-to-be 44-year-old Woods and his surgically repaired everything. But
"“Well, hopefully we’ll have not too long a delay out there like we did today at 14,” Woods said. “That was a bit. You could see all the players, they’re talking, being fidgety, moving around, stretching. I put my sweater on for that little bit just to keep warm and keep moving. That was the whole idea. I think tomorrow’s going to be the same thing. We’re going to hopefully not have too long a break between rounds, go right back out there and get after it.”"
Next. Stars aligning for Tiger Woods to be playing captain at the Presidents Cup. dark
If Tiger isn’t totally confident in his body holding up to that kind of play, he’s sure putting on a good show. And I’m not going to go against him until they’re out there putting in the work. Throw in the idea of a prime-time Sunday finish here in the States, and you’ll have a recipe for Tiger to channel the fire that brought him to his 81 previous wins, and fend off all challengers. You do not want to miss this finish.