PGA Championship round two: Tiger may yet get that record

You don’t get to watch too many rounds of golf like Tiger Woods’ on Friday. The precision of his approach work and deadly accuracy of his putting were often spellbinding. Some observers were instantly dubbing it one of the greatest rounds in golfing history. Maybe that goes a little far - it needed that infuriating final putt to go in for that - but I’ll enjoy the inevitable debate.

That was so “in", the putt on the 18th. Woods was very sanguine about it afterwards, but he sure looked mad as hell at the time as fate chucked it back at him. It was such hard luck not to set a new majors record after so comprehensively beating Southern Hills into submission. Mind you, considering the hot form he is in, he could well have another crack over the weekend. I can see an eagle out of him before the tournament is done.

It’s a rare Friday where the leader has already brought his price well below evens - and that before the round has even finished. Now at about 1.34, it leaves slim pickings for the weekend.

Some Tiger-layers will no doubt cling to the hope he falters after such a spectacular round. It’s a possibility, but they should bear in mind two pertinent statistics: in the last six majors at Southern Hills, the half-way leader has always gone on to win, and Tiger likewise is 7 from 7 when ahead after two rounds.

Of course there’s always the “winner without Woods” market, but I’m not a huge fan because of the complicating possibility of ties. In fact none of the other markets appeals much, so I’m going to sit back and enjoy the ride.