Just when it appeared that Tiger Woods had lost the feel for his golf game, he came roaring back on Saturday with a six-under-par 65 to move away from the cut line and into the middle of the pack at the Deutsche Bank Championship in Norton, Mass.
With winds beginning to gust at the TPC Boston golf course, Woods could climb higher up the standings as players struggle in the late afternoon conditions. On Saturday, Woods birdied four of the first seven holes he played. He made it through the second round without a bogey and has reached the halfway point of the tournament at five-under 137, seven shots off the pace of clubhouse leader Brandt Snedeker.
That was a big contrast to Friday, when he carded four bogeys in six holes to open a round of one-over 72 and fell to the bottom of the scoring in the 99-player field, which is competing in the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Luke Donald is currently in second place at 10 under. No other golfers who have completed Saturday's round are within three shots of Snedeker. First-round leaders Jason Day, now at 10 under, and Zach Johnson (eight under) have completed seven holes today.
Phil Mickelson shot a 65 and was in a large group at 134 that included Stewart Cink, under serious consideration as a captain's pick for the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
It was an important day for Woods, who is No. 65 in the FedEx Cup standings and needs to be among the top 70 after this week to advance to the third round of the playoffs at the BMW Championship, where he is the defending champion.
"I had to shoot a good one if I was going to move on, and I was able to do that today," Woods said. "I just felt better today. I just felt more energetic and ready to go."
--Dan Loumena
Photo: Tiger Woods watches his drive on the 12th hole Saturday during the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. Credit Adam Hunger / Reuters
Associated Press contributed to this report.