No Elin, no problem as Tiger fires season's best

Updated on: 27 August,2010 09:20 AM IST |
AFP |

Newly-divorced Tiger Woods fired his lowest round since his sex scandal erupted nine months ago, a six-under par 65 yesterday that gave him a share of the clubhouse lead at The Barclays.

Newly-divorced Tiger Woods fired his lowest round since his sex scandal erupted nine months ago, a six-under par 65 yesterday that gave him a share of the clubhouse lead at The Barclays.

Three days after ending his nearly six-year marriage to Elin Nordegren, the world's number one golfer fired seven birdies against a lone bogey to match fellow American Vaughn Taylor for the lead with half the field on the course.

Woods' admission of multiple affairs made him a laughing stock and led to a five-month layoff from golf. His game suffered, hitting an all-time low earlier this month with his worst four-round showing at the Bridgestone Invitational.

"It was a lot more difficult than I was letting on," Woods said on Wednesday of playing through his divorce.

Most of the summer was like that. You try to block it out, but yes, at times it was (very painful)."

Asked if his swing struggles hitting the ball were greater than the personal distractions Woods has faced, the 14-time major winner said, "I think it's all the above. To be honest with you, I think it's all of the above."

Woods' best previous round since the scandal broke last November was his 66 during the third round of the US Open at Pebble Beach in June.

"It feels good. It feels good to be able to control my ball all day like this."

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