Controversy overshadows Woods
Woods received a massive slice of good fortune on his way to the top of the leaderboard
Also In The News
|
Everton striker Andy Johnson and new Manchester United concern Michael Carrick are to return to the England squad for the start of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, coach Steve McClaren has revealed. |  |
Saturday, 26, Aug 2006 12:07
Tiger Woods has found himself deep in controversy after taking a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron.
The world number one fired a six-under par 64 to reach nine-under par, one ahead of fellow American Davis Love III, who shot a five-under par 65.
However, the major talking point was the decision to rule that Woods' second shot at the ninth, his last hole, was not out of bounds despite clearing the clubhouse, resulting in the USPGA champion getting a favourable drop rather than being forced to take the shot again.
The American, who went on to bogey the hole, admitted it was a slice of good fortune and he did not understand how the rules had been interpreted.
"I don't know how that wasn't out of bounds first of all and I also don't know how anybody found it," Woods said.
"I've never seen anything like it and certainly never experienced anything like it. I'm not complaining though as if I had had to re-drop from where I hit the second shot, it would have been tough to make six. It's a huge break to make five."
Elsewhere, overnight leader Adam Scott of Australia lies three shots off the lead after a one-over par 71, level with American Jim Furyk, who made a five-under par 67.
A further shot behind is South African Ernie Els, who also shot a three-under par 67, while England's Luke Donald is the leading European on four-under after a one-under par 69.
However, England's Paul Casey is the only other Briton in the minuses, after a second successive one-under par 69.
England's Ian Poulter is two-over par after consecutive one-over par 71s, while Lee Westwood and David Howell are both six-over par.
Howell, who is still suffering from a neck injury, had a particularly rough day with a nine-over par 79.
Elsewhere, Wales' Stephen Dodd and England's John Bickerton are seven-over and nine-over respectively.