Phil Mickelson is tied for fifth, six shots off the lead, through nine holes today.
Tiger WodsDUBLIN, Ohio - After a record-tying first two rounds, Ricky Fowler is on top at the Memorial Tournament with the second half of the field still on the course this afternoon. And Tiger Woods at least won't be going home early.
Fowler followed Thursday's 65 with a 66 today, putting him at 13-under par, four shots ahead of Tim Petrovic, who also shot 66. Woods followed his first-round 72 with a 3-under 69 that leaves him 10 shots off the lead and assured of making the weekend.
"That's great playing," Woods said of Fowler's start. "That's great playing out here. You know, we all know he's got the talent to do it. It's just a matter of him doing it."
Phil Mickelson, after a first-round 67, is on the course now at 7-under par and tied for fifth through nine holes.
Fowler tied Scott Hoch's record for the low 36-hole score at the Memorial, set in 1987. Hoch went on to tie for third that year after ballooning to a 78 in the final round.
The 21-year-old Fowler is looking for his first PGA Tour win after finishing second at the Phoenix Open in February.
"Just being in contention the few times I have over the last eight months or so since I turned pro, this is by far the best that I've felt," Fowler said.
Woods is still searching for his game after missing several weeks with a neck injury. The Memorial is only his fourth tournament of the year. Woods said he played better than he did Thursday and lipped out five putts that could have given him a much better score than a 69.
"As I said, usually most guys are at this point in January. Here we are in June, and I'm at the point which most guys are beginning of the year," Woods said. "So it's just one of those things where the more times, the more good shots I hit, keep building, and it's a process. As I said, I hit more good shots today than I did yesterday."
Play was suspended by rain for 24 minutes this afterboon. Anticipating bad weather on Saturday afternoon, the tournament will put the players in groups of three and tee off between 7:20 a.m. and 9:20 a.m on Saturday.