PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Tiger Woods chipped in from behind the ninth green, and the roar was unmistakable, the tree-rattling variety generated by only one player in golf. Moments later, Woods raised the putter in his left hand as another birdie putt dropped for a share of the lead at the Valspar Championship.
Corey Conners heard the whole round, and it made him smile.
Never mind that Conners had six birdies in his round of 3-under 68 for a one-shot lead Saturday as he tries for his first PGA Tour victory. Even the players trying to beat Woods got swept up in the emotions of seeing him closer than ever to having a chance to win again. He's in his fourth tournament since returning after his fourth back surgery.
"I can confirm he's back. The roars are back," said Brandt Snedeker, who was along for the ride with Woods and matched his 67. "It's fun to hear the crowd going crazy again and realize how excited we are in having him back out here and play the way he is. He's playing great."
Conners, a Canadian rookie in only his 17th start on the PGA Tour as a pro, saved par from the bunker on the par-3 17th and kept his cool when his ball moved slightly on the 18th green — no longer a penalty in those circumstances — before he tapped in for par.
He was at 9-under 204 and will play with Justin Rose (66), who joined Woods and Snedeker at one shot behind. For the second straight day, Woods and his thousands upon thousands of fans will be ahead of him.
Woods feels the improvement in his game, he said.
"I am excited," he said. "I feel like I'm playing a bit better and cleaner. I moved myself up the board. I know it's packed up there, but at least I got a shot."
