Heavy rain and thunderstorms continue across southeastern Minnesota Thursday evening.

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Three players took turn sharing the lead
with Tiger Woods until he stood alone at the PGA Championship.


      The final hour at Hazeltine changed everything.


      Woods fired off three straight birdies, which began with a drive
onto the fringe of the 299-yard 14th hole and ended with Woods
nodding his head and dangling his tongue out of the side of his
mouth after making a 20-footer.


      He finished with a 2-under 70 to build a four-shot lead, his
largest through 36 holes at a major since the 2005 British Open at
St. Andrews, when he led by five.


      Woods is 8-0 when leading a major through 36 holes, and his
chances only improved as everyone around him faltered.


      "In order to have a lead in a major championship, you can't be
playing poorly," said Woods, who was at 7-under 137. "All those
times, I've been playing well. And I'm playing well now."


      Ross Fisher was the last challenger to crumble. Tied for the
lead with two holes to play, he came up woefully short on the par-3
17th and hit a drive that left him an awkward stance in the sand,
both shots leading to bogey and a 68. Padraig Harrington was tied
with eight holes to play until he made three straight bogeys,
closing with another bogey when he missed a 3½-foot putt. He
finished with a 73.


      Before them was Graeme McDowell, who couldn't keep the ball dry
and wasted a good start by shooting 75.


      They all finished four shots behind at 3-under 141, along with
Vijay Singh (72), U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover (70) and Brendan
Jones (70), who played in the morning when the greens were at their
smoothest, though still not easy.


      Woods will play in the final group with Singh, one of many
rivals in his career.


      "There's a long way to go," Woods said.


      Even so, it was the first time in three years that Woods opened
a major with consecutive rounds under par.
      

Gallery

Sports

Three players took turn sharing the lead
with Tiger Woods until he stood alone at the PGA Championship.


Woods in control again at Hazeltine, leads by 4

Go Deeper.

Like this?