World Challenge

Tiger ties own record with magical 62

ESPN staff

December 7, 2013

Graeme McDowell shot an impressive five-under 67 - but just couldn't keep up with Tiger Woods © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods had a birdie putt on every hole and sank 10 of them to tie his own course record 62 at Sherwood Country Club and take a two-shot lead at the World Challenge.

Zach Johnson is his closest challenger going into the weekend after shooting 68. "It was good today," Woods said with a broad smile, perhaps because there was little else to say.

Defending champion Graeme McDowell called Woods' round a "clinic", after playing alongside the American and making 67.

Woods, on 11 under, will be paired in the last group on Saturday with Johnson, who squandered several good birdie chances on the back nine. Johnson has finished runner-up at the World Challenge on two occasions - both times to Woods.

Matt Kuchar is three shots back after hitting 68.

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Woods admitted it took him until a tee shot to 15 feet on the par-three third hole to start feeling good about his swing.

"It was the first swing I think I made, even during warm-up, that felt really good," Woods said. "And I tried to keep that feeling the rest of the day, and I did. I hit a lot of good shots after that."

"Amazing what Tiger did out there. It's just some incredible golf," Kuchar said. "I kind of felt sorry for Graeme McDowell. I saw he posted a five-under-par round, and it must have felt like it was two or three over. It's tough when you're paired with a guy like that. It makes you feel like you're not doing much. But the rest of us just go about our business."

McDowell couldn't help but tip his hat to Woods. "I enjoyed that," he said. "It was cool to see that kind of golf. He was under control. He hit it down the middle of every fairway. He didn't have that kind of violence with his speed through the ball."

Woods compared his score to the 61 he shot at Firestone this summer - he went on to win that tournament by seven shots.

"I think Firestone is obviously a much more difficult golf course than Sherwood," Woods said. "But as far as quality ball-striking, I hit it equally as good today, if not even better."

It was a disappointing day for Rory McIlroy, who hit 77 after last week's Australian Open win. Hunter Mahan had an 80, while Dustin Johnson shot 79.

Second round leaderboard: