Uphill task for Woods in title defense
FARMINGDALE, New York (Reuters) - Tiger Woods faced an uphill battle in pursuit of a fourth U.S. Open crown after ending a weather-delayed second round a distant 11 strokes off the pace on Saturday.
Playing in the tougher half of the draw at a rain-sodden Bethpage Black, the world number one again struggled on the greens on his way to a one-under-par 69.
A bogey on his final hole, the par-four ninth, gave him a three-over total of 143 at the venue where he won the 2002 U.S. Open.
"I'm hitting it well enough," Woods told reporters after carding four birdies and three bogeys while totaling 30 putts in persistent drizzle.
"I just need to make a few more putts. The putts I hit well didn't go in and the putts I hit poorly weren't even close.
"The greens are so bumpy and they're getting slower and slower. You don't want to run the ball past the hole, trust me. It's a little tough coming back.
"You could be pretty aggressive today," Woods added, referring to the rain-softened conditions. "Have the ball on the fairway, no water on the ball, be aggressive and fire at the flags."
RECORD COMEBACK
Woods, who took 31 putts in the opening round, will have to match the U.S. Open record for a 36-hole comeback if he is to clinch a 15th major title.
American Lou Graham set the mark by overhauling an 11-stroke deficit to triumph at Medinah in 1975.
"I'd like to, there's no doubt," said Woods, whose biggest comeback on the PGA Tour after 36 holes was nine shots to win the 1999 Buick Invitational.
"It's one of those things where if I keep plugging along just like any U.S. Open, make a birdie here and there, and we'll see where it ends up.
"Unfortunately my score doesn't reflect how I've been playing ... but you never know. I've got 36 more holes," he said with a smile.
The rain has raised a strong possibility of the year's second major spilling over into Monday and perhaps Tuesday.
Although the weather delays have wreaked havoc with the playing schedule, Woods refused to be distracted.
"We've played so many years out here on tour, it is what it is," the 33-year-old said. "It rains. You're called off. You're pulled back in. You get ready, go back out."
Woods won last year's U.S. Open in a gripping 19-hole playoff with fellow American Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
