Buick Invitational roun d two: The storm's already here - it's called Tiger Woods

There’s a big storm a’coming, but it’ll have to go some to match the one that’s already passing through. As Tiger Woods himself said, he’s been driving like a dog, yet the rest of his golf has blown him to what must surely be an unassailable position. To struggle so much off the tee on Friday yet still card a bogey-free round is quite something.

This is actually a rare position for him at the Buick, despite being a five-time winner. Before Woods has invariably had to play catchup at the half-way stage. In the last two years he was seven shots adrift of the lead after round two. You wonder if this year’s commanding performance, driver excepted for now at least, isn’t a harbinger of the season to come.

I doubt that’s the question that will be going through the mind of Q-school graduate Kevin Streelman as he tees it up with the Tiger Saturday. Imagine, one minute you’re 1,114th in the world rankings, a tie for 50th, a missed cut and just under $13,000 to show for your rookie efforts so far, the next you’re a last minute addition to the field and playing a leaders’ round with the Tiger. I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad for him. Happy obviously because this’ll always be one to tell the grandchildren; sad because we all know what happens to players caught up in the Tiger circus. It could end up costing him a shilling or two.

I’ll bet the legion of Tiger layers will be praying the great man falters back on the south course Saturday. There’s no way they are going to cover the payout if he wins. On the Betfair winner market there’s already well over £1 million chasing him to the finishing line, against less that £20,000 for his nearest rival Phil Mickelson. But even if he does have a poor day, I don’t suppose Tiger will fare as badly as poor Troy Matteson, whose putter totally deserted him - 35 putts for the round!

Stewart Cink’s got to be a strong fancy in the “winner without Woods” market. But if Boo Weekley can avoid an adverse reaction to his storming 6 under on Friday he could serve up an interesting tussle for runner up.