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Enlarge Photo Tiger Woods of the U.S. holds up his ball after sinking a birdie putt on... One moment of magic from Tiger Woods in the fading Scottish dusk reminded everyone of his unique talent and why he will still be the one to watch in the closing two rounds of the British Open.A determined Woods pulled out his driver on the 18th tee, with a steely look he eyed his target and unleashed an astonishing drive -- taking a line scarily close to the fairway-side buildings -- and sent the ball towards the flag.
Rapturous applause from the hundreds of spectators lining the iconic fiarway threatened to burst ear drums when the American's booming stroke bounded along the fairway, ascended the rise to the green, missed the hole by six inches and came to rest 15 feet past the pin.
The 14-times major winner was made to wait for his eagle putt as Tom Watson bade St Andrews an emotional farewell back on the 18th tee.
Woods measured up his eagle putt, knowing success would put him back on par for the day, but it slid by the hole and the world number one flipped his putter in the air and shouted in frustration.
The birdie left him eight behind leader Louis Oosthuizen but such is the Woods talent -- he has won the Open twice here -- he remains very much in the mix for a fourth Claret Jug.
"I hit a good one, I was just trying to get it up there and give myself a chance of making four, and gave myself a good chance of making two," the 34-year-old told reporters.
Woods was just pleased to have survived a brutal day at the office.
"It was calm out there all day," he joked after officials had earlier halted play for an hour because of ferocious gusts of 40mph wind.
"No, it was a tough day. I could have easily shot myself out of the tournament, especially the start I got off to, but I put it back together again and pieced together a pretty good round," he added.
The American has had about as difficult and distracting a year as it is possible to have after his private life started to unravel with news of a string of extra-marital infidelities, only returning to competitive golf at the Masters in April.
But he seemed a contented man after his efforts.
Asked if he thought it was his best round of the year so far, he looked the questioner in the eye and said: "Absolutely. Absolutely," before vanishing into the night.
(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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