Bridgestone Invitational Round Two: Centigrade 8/25 to expose 'miracle' of Tiger Woods's ball

Where’s Michael Moore when you need him? If ever there was a great conspiracy theory movie to be made it’s about Tiger Woods’s approach shot on the 18th Friday. It’s got everything except sex (and that can easily be arranged) - shock (greatest golfer in world suddenly goes bananas), fear (as his ball nearly decapitates half the people in the grandstand), mystery (anyone seen Tiger’s ball?), greed (chef pockets self-same ball), and nail-biting tension (as ball is ‘discovered’ with seconds to spare).

I tell you hell hath no fury like a Woods layer scorned by rules officials. Found the ball just inside 5 minutes? Not out of bounds? Free drop? The legal arguments were flying like confetti on the forums and there’s a huge body of opinion prepared to cry foul all the way to the Supreme Court. There was a poll on whether Tiger behaved badly or not, even suggestions Tiger would have a crisis of conscience overnight and disqualify himself. You think I’m joking? Betfair was even asked to open a “Tiger to disqualify himself” market (suggested odds Yes 12-1, No 1-50)!

You couldn’t make it up. All over a little white ball that got lost and was found again. Best take was this cartoon offered by a punter with an all-too-rare sense of humour.

C’mon guys. With all this intense global media scrutiny what on earth would be in it for the rules officials (or Tiger for that matter) to deliberately “bend” things in his favour?

It was that kind of day though. If I was Jim Furyk I’d feel a bit miffed my hole in one was totally overshadowed, not just by Tiger’s antics, but by some unknown Japanese golfer up at Reno who makes history by shooting two aces in the same round. That sums up the rather exotic nature of the Reno event.

The question still to be answered is why, after such an immaculate round to propel himself into the lead, Tiger hit such an aberrant shot anyway? Is he getting bored with being so good? Might we see a few more blips Saturday? He’s still got (lucky) winner written all over him, but there is no shame attached to taking a profit now at 1.4.

I’m just about done this weekend, even though Betfair have now wilted under public pressure and promised to keep their markets open until 20:55 GMT Sunday. But I do fancy a small punt on Ernie Els in the “Winner without Woods” market, where he is 6.6. He is looking the most comfortable I have seen since his surgery and talking with more confidence too, so maybe there’s at least a wee trade in his price.

Anyway, must dash, I’ve got a screenplay to write.