Woods slips one stroke behind halfway lead

North Carolina, May 02: Tiger Woods struggled over the difficult final stretch to slip one stroke from the lead after the second round at the USD 6.4 million Quail Hollow Championship on Friday.

Woods was far from his best for most of the round, and it finally caught up to him as he bogeyed the par-four 16th and 18th holes on a breezy afternoon, yet still posted an even-par 72 to finish the second round in a four-way tie for third.

Woods is one stroke behind long-hitting American Bubba Watson, who stormed home in 30 strokes, and South Africa's Retief Goosen on eight-under 136.

"I didn't hit it very well," said Woods, who is tied with fellow Americans Zach Johnson (67), Jim Furyk (66) and George McNeill (68) on seven-under 137. "I didn't drive the ball particularly well, didn't hit my irons as well as I'd like.”

"I was hanging in there and if I could have posted nine (under) I would have probably gotten the most out of that round.”

"It just didn't work out that way but overall it's not that bad, considering the way I was hitting the ball."

Watson was not even assured of making the cut at the turn, before he recorded four birdies and an eagle on the front nine, his inward half, to shoot 65, the day's best score.

"My caddie kicked me in the butt a few times and kept telling me to stay focused, because I wanted to pout a few times," Watson said.

"I'm trying every day to be the best golfer that ever walked this planet but once I putt out on the last putt I'm the happiest guy in the world."

Goosen (68) credited his share of the lead to good putting.

"I'm putting very well, making a lot of good up-and-downs, and I made a few good long putts for birdies as well today."

Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, caught fire mid-round, running up seven birdies in eight holes to open a handy lead, but he then bogeyed his final three holes.
"It's very disappointing but at the same time I can't be too upset. I did a lot of good things," Johnson said.

"I got off to a good start and just didn't make any putts. Eventually I settled down and started to roll the ball really well (on the greens).”

"My execution of my shots was perfect (until the 16th hole)."

The cut fell at even-par 144 with Masters champion Angel Cabrera and Ireland's Padraig Harrington both missing out.

Els back at European Open for first time in 15 years

London, May 02: Ernie Els will make his first appearance in the European Open for 15 years when he lines up at the London Club this month.

Among the popular South African's title rivals will be world number three Sergio Garcia, 15th-ranked Lee Westwood and number 17 Rory McIlroy.

Els last played at the European Open when it was held at the East Sussex National in 1994, the year he claimed the first of his three majors with victory in the US Open at Oakmont.

"It's been a while since I last played in the European Open so I am very much looking forward to playing in Kent and getting my first taste of the London Club," the 39-year-old said in a news release.

"I have heard great things about the set up and the wonderful atmosphere last year and I'm looking forward to having a crack at the title."

Spectators will get free admission for all four days of the May 28-31 tournament.

Last year fans were allowed in for free for the first round only, attracting a crowd of almost 24,000.