Tiger Woods is in position to win his first tournament in five years, as his stunning comeback took shape at the Copperhead course in Florida.
The former world No. 1 shot his best round of the year, a four-under par 67, to reach eight-under in the Valspar Championship and just a shot off the lead held by Canada’s Corey Conners.
He has not won a tournament since 2013 and has spent most of that five years battling a back injury.
Woods had lumbar fusion surgery last year and resumed playing at his own tournament in December. Since then he has played three four-round tournaments on the PGA Tour, with a best of 12th at the Honda Classic.
Today he hit 14 greens in regulation, chipped in for birdie on the ninth and putted nicely. His swing speed of 129.2 mph on the 14th tee was the fastest recorded by any player on the US Tour this year.
The 42-year-old’s last tour win was in August, 2013, at the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational.
"I just need to get a little tournament time in and I think I've done that," Woods said.
"I'm starting to get a better feel for it.
"I'm finding the rhythm of the round. I'm hitting shots.
"I don't have trouble posting scores."
On the Australian front, Adam Scott's 66 was one of the low rounds of the day. It has him tied eleventh at 4-under, five shots behind Conners.