Tiger Woods’s hopes of fending off Phil Mickelson’s bid to replace him at the top of the world rankings suffered another setback on the second day of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
The American carded an over-par round for the second day running as he slumped to six over par and near to the foot of the leaderboard following a second-round 72.
Mickelson has the chance to depose Woods as world number one this weekend and can do so with a top-four finish coupled with Woods finishing outside the top 44.
Woods certainly appears set to uphold his end of the bargain, while Mickelson was in a tie for second spot behind Retief Goosen after birdies at the 15th and 16th, following a double bogey at the 14th, moved him to six under with two to play.
Lee Westwood, who was also in with a chance of grabbing the number one slot, was forced to withdraw due to a torn calf muscle after he shot a dismal second-round 76 to slip a shot behind the American at seven over par.
“I will be out for as long as it takes to get right,” he said, ruling out playing in next week’s US PGA at Whistling Straits. “Hopefully it will be in time for the Ryder Cup.”
“It just seems to be getting worse. There’s no strength in it. I don’t have a deal of confidence in it, and then on the way down I’m finding it hard to hold my weight on it and then push off.”
Fourteen-time major winner Woods carded birdies on the 15th, sixth and ninth, but five bogeys sabotaged his round to leave his 270-week reign as world number one hanging by a thread.
With no cut at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Woods will have the opportunity to redeem himself this weekend, although he will not be a threat to the leaders, with clubhouse pacesetter Goosen on seven under par after a second-round 66.
The South African’s round featured five birdies and a bogey on the 18th as he led the way by a stroke from America’s Justin Leonard, who also posted a four-under 66 today.
Overnight leader Bubba Watson was at even par through five holes of his second round as he kept himself well in contention.
Mickelson’s early exploits moved him into a share of fourth place alongside Sweden’s Peter Hanson, who shot a four-under 66, and America’s Bo Van Pelt, who shot 68 to follow yesterday’s three-under-par effort.
Australia’s Adam Scott, England’s Paul Casey, Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, American Nick Watney and last year’s US Open champion Lucas Glover were all back in the clubhouse and tied for seventh place after moving to four under overall.
Playing alongside Mickelson, Rory McIlroy was one under for his round with two holes to play and three under for the tournament.
Graeme McDowell finished with back-to-back birdies as a disappointing round of 73 saw him move back to one under. Pádraig Harrington is on the same mark after a level par round of 70.