AUGUSTA, Ga. – Conditions are getting tough at Augusta National Golf Club. Tiger Woods is plodding along, minding his business, drafting on two players looking for their first major title.
This is setting up as a milestone Masters for Woods.
He's two shots off the lead of Englishmen Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, who stand 8-under 136.
It's as if Woods spent the last four months writing this script. He's right where he wants to be, hovering. In four Masters victories, he's never been worse than fourth entering the weekend. This is the same position he was in through 36 holes of his last win in 2005.
Doubts about his return to form have vanished in rounds of 68-70. The focus now is on golf, and nobody does that better than Woods.
About the only doubt remaining is if the fallen-from-grace Woods, with big holes in his character, can still intimidate like the Woods who thought he was bulletproof.
The last time Woods returned from a long layoff at a major was the 2008 U.S. Open. Westwood played with Woods in the final round. Westwood missed the pressure putt on the last hole in regulation. Woods made his and then beat Rocco Mediate in a playoff.
"Well, I played with Tiger the last round of the U.S. Open there, so that's not really an issue," Westwood said. "And I learnt a few things, stuff I'm not going to share, because I think if you get into these situations and learn stuff, what's the point of passing it on? That's what going through these experiences is all about."
Much has been made, probably too much, of players crumbling under the weight of Woods. Angel Cabrera heard Woods rustling in the trees last year. But it was Woods who ended his own rally on 17.
In last year's PGA Championship, Y.E. Yang overcame a two-shot deficit while paired with Woods. It marked Woods' first loss in 15 attempts with at least a share of the lead in a major.
Reports of Woods' marital infidelities have shot more holes in his veneer. The feeling of invincibility led to his downfall, he said. His vulnerability has been on display since his Nov. 27 car wreck.
For Woods, he's done his pre-tournament media session, been blasted by Augusta chairman Billy Payne and is no worse for the wear. In his first start of the season, he's in the mix in his favorite major.
"It feels good to be back and in contention," he said. "We've got 36 more holes and I'm sure the golf course, they are not going to make it easy for us."
Woods is not a comeback player. He thrives on his smarts and others' mistakes.
Poulter and Westwood can mute the intimidation factor by taking advantage of their friendly pairing today. They need to play aggressively to put some distance on Woods. No need to test Woods' intimidation skills in a one-on-one on Sunday at Augusta National.
Poulter seems up to the challenge. He's contended in the British and U.S. Opens, and got his first victory in the United States in February's WGC Match Play.
"It's helped a lot to win on this side of the pond," he said. "I'm in a position now where I can go out and be kind of aggressive on the golf course. It's a nice position to be at."
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