Late birdies boost Tiger Woods challenge

Tiger Woods went 27 holes without a birdie, then sank back-to-back birdies here Friday on his way to firing a 1-under 69 that lifted him into contention at the 104th U.S. Open.

World No. 1 Woods completed 36 holes at Shinnecock Hills at 1-over 141, tied for 18th and seven strokes behind co-leaders Shigeki Maruyama and Phil Mickelson, the Masters champion.

Woods began his round with a bogey at the 10th hole, then battled to 12 consecutive pars before making a testing 12-foot putt for his second birdie in as many days on the par-5 5th hole, then hit a 10-foot birdie putt at No. 6.

"It was a day of patience," Woods said. "I figured just hang in there, be patient -- it's the U.S. Open. I kept hanging in there and made a couple birdies."

The eight-time major champion has never won after an over-par first round, but Woods stressed endurance and patience and expects many of the leaders to tumble back if the Shinnecock's notorious winds, calm so far, begin to howl.

"Guys aren't going to run and hide on this course," Woods said. "The weather is going to be coming in. You just have to keep hanging around. You never know. The wind is supposed to pick up, especially on Sunday. Guys will back up.

"I would always much rather see the wind blow. It provides more of a challenge."

Woods, named this week by Forbes magazine as the world's highest-paid athlete with $80.3 million in annual winnings and endorsements, was pulling tee shots to the right, errant shots that forced numerous rescues.

"I hit the ball not great but decent," Woods said. "I know where I'm missing the ball. That's easy to fix."

If it was so easy, fairway accuracy would not have been a lingering problem for Woods all season. Woods ranks 116th this week in fairways reached with 12 of 28, 79th in greens in regulation with 19 of 36 and 86th in driving distance.

"I've been here before. The U.S. Open is playing very difficult," Woods said. "You have to be very patient and make it back when you can."

Woods, whose only missed cut as a professional came at the 1997 Canadian Open, flirted with disaster often after his opening bogey but was able to save himself every time.

"I had to make some saves to make pars," he said. "I knew if I just keep hanging in there, I could get something going and eventually I did."

Woods began off the 10th tee and hooked his first shot right into the deep rough on his way to a bogey. Twelve consecutive pars followed. Most were struggles.

He found the right fescue again off the 16th tee, working on his swing motion seeking answers as he walked to the weeds. Woods punched out and put his approach four feet from the cup, then missed a birdie putt and settled for par.

Another missed opportunity followed on the par-3 17th, Woods sliding a long birdie putt just right of the cup.

Another rescue from the fescue was needed at 18, where Woods found the right weeds and the left rough before dropping his third shot inches from the pin to save par. Woods escaped again after finding a bunker on the second hole.

Then came the birdies. Woods hopes they carry him higher on the weekend.

"I would like it to be that," he said. "It was nice to make something positive happen. You have to keep hanging in there, keep moving forward."