The Players Championship is underway in Florida at TPC Sawgrass and Tiger Woods is making a strong showing after the second day as he is right near the top of the leaderboard after shooting a five under par 67 for the second day in a row to finish the day second behind Sergio Garcia.
Woods has not historically done great at the tournament, winning just once in 2001 in 15 starts there, but after his excellent start he is in a much better position than last year and he could have himself his fourth win of the year on tour. Woods already won at the Farmers Insurance Open and the WGC Championship before winning at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and that success has vaulted him back into the number one ranking after chasing it over the past two years.
The tournament is the first for Woods since his Masters drop shot controversy and he has shown so far that it hasn't been weighing on his mind at all. He also has recovered nicely from a drunken night in New York City with girlfriend Lindsey Vonn at the Met Gala and he appears ready to dominate at TPC Sawgrass for the first time in years. Woods missed the previous two tournament before last years due to injury and 2009 marked his first top 10 finish there since winning it back in 2001.
Lee Westwood and Kevin Chappell were at nine under on the day and Woods put together two rounds in the 60s at the tournament for the first time since 2004, giving him a great start heading into the weekend behind Garcia, who had one of his best rounds of the season while hitting birdies in five straight holes at one point. Garcia has not been in the top 10 since winning the tournament in 2008 and he will be looking to stay on top through the weekend.
Woods' round was an excellent one as he made just two bogeys and five birdies as well as one on the final hole of the day. Woods is looking to defeat the tough course after taking on Torrey Pines, Doral and Bay Hill this season and another win would likely solidify his position at number one for the rest of the year and into next season. Woods is still looking for that elusive next major and his play here could be a sign that things are coming.
At the Masters Woods was playing fantastic and was tied for the lead when his trouble began on the 15th hole. His skills might have hurt him on that hole, as he hit his ball perfectly and it knocked into the flag on the hole, knocking the ball into the water and forcing him to take a drop. After some confusion, controversy and a rules violation he ended up with a two stroke penalty and finished tied for fourth and had to watch the playoff between Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera. The play by Woods at the major could be a turning point for him in his quest for another major and the US Open will be his next shot and his play at TPC Sawgrass could be the push he needs to get it once again and prove he is the best and can catch Jack Nickalus' record.
