The latest Tiger Woods comeback embraced the good, the bad and the ugly on Friday as the former world number one laboured to a one-over-par 71 in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational second round.
A day after making a good start on his long-awaited return to competition, Woods struggled for consistency with a mixture of four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey in hot and humid conditions at Firestone Country Club.
Sidelined for three months because of leg injuries, Woods began the round six shots behind pacesetting Australian Adam Scott and he ended it at one-under 139, seven strokes off the early lead.
Perhaps the most encouraging signs for the 14-times major champion were his generally smooth tempo and his ability to follow dropped shots with birdies at the next hole.
"I know my stats don't show it, but just the way I'm driving the golf ball ... I'm so close to putting the ball on a string," Woods, who hurt his left knee ligaments and Achilles tendon during this year's Masters, said.
"Unfortunately, I just didn't make as many putts today, but I'm close to putting it together." For the second consecutive round, he struggled with his distance control.
{{/usCountry}}"Unfortunately, I just didn't make as many putts today, but I'm close to putting it together." For the second consecutive round, he struggled with his distance control.
{{/usCountry}}Atwal slips
A couple of late bogeys ruined Arjun Atwal's card as he turned in a three-over 73 and slipped to the tied 45th spot.