ATLANTA (Georgia): Once-mighty Tiger Woods played like a has-been in missing the cut on Friday at the PGA Championship, his comeback from injury resembling the failed final bows of Mike Tyson or Michael Jordan.
The 14-time major champion, in only his second event after left leg injuries suffered in April at the Masters force a layoff, shot three-over par 73 Friday at Atlanta Athletic Club after opening on 77, his worst first round in a major.
“It’s a step back in the sense that I didn’t make the cut and I’m not contending in the tournament,” Woods said.
Woods will be gone for the weekend for only the third time in a major, also missing the cut at the 2006 US Open and 2009 British Open. But the spectacular shot-making, thrills and excitement he produced in his prime never appeared.
Like former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson losing to second-rate fighters in his final bouts or six-time NBA champion Jordan in an ill-fated return with the Washington Wizards, Woods seldom showed flashes of his jaw-dropping best.
“I thought I could come in here and play the last couple of weeks and get it done somehow, but I need some work,” Woods said.
Keegan Bradley, a rookie playing in his first major, fired a 64 to share the lead with fellow unheralded American Jason Dufner, who shot 65 after missing the cut in his past four starts, on five-under 135 through 36 holes. “I’m teeing off and Tiger is on one — he is one of my idols,” Bradley said.
Dufner made mo apologies for being an unknown atop the leaderboard at the midpoint of a major.
“People want to see Tiger Woods,” Dufner said. “But there are guys who can really play golf out here that are really good that you have never heard of.”
Americans D.A. Points, Scott Verplank and Jim Furyk were one stroke back along with Australian John Senden. Two adrift on 137 were Denmark’s Anders Hansen and Americans Brandt Jobe, Steve Stricker and B Steele. (Agencies)
