Tiger Woods Passes Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods started Saturday’s round T-4 at five-under(-par) trailing tournament leader Thorbjorn Oleson from Denmark by two shots.

Woods has steadily climbed up the leader board at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship after an opening round 70 that left him at two-under(-par) and T-9.  He was very pleased with his ball striking in his bogey-free round at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, hitting 17 of 18 greens. 

Putting, however, was another matter altogether.  He was confused all day by the grainy greens and took 35 putts.

His ball striking was not quite as crisp in his second round, but he took only 25 putts to post his 69 and stay in contention in Friday’s round.

Woods, currently ranked No. 25 in the world, played a nine-hole practice round on Wednesday with No. 3 ranked Rory McIlroy. Tiger has been grouped in the first three rounds with the heir apparent to his throne.

Tiger has consistently out-driven McIlroy, and Woods leads Rory by two shots going into the last round.  It appears the “Tiger Factor” may have gotten to the youngster and Rory seemed to be pressing just a wee bit.

Tiger is looking to continue his superb play of late after finishing 2011 with a strong showing in Australia and a win at the Chevron in December.

A healthy Tiger Woods—mentally, as well as physically—is serving notice to No. 1, Luke Donald, No. 2, Lee Westwood, No. 3, Rory McIlroy and No. 4, Martin Kaymer.

The King is indeed not dead, and that he will ascend to reclaim his rightful title as World No. 1 much sooner than later.