Tiger catches up in Miami

MIAMI – World number one Scottie Scheffler and three-time major-winner Jordan Spieth opened up a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Tour Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Friday as Tiger Woods’ comeback gathered pace.

Scheffler produced a stunning back nine birdie spree to vault up the leaderboard before a bogey on the 18th denied him the solo lead and left him with a six-under-par 66 to move to nine under for the tournament.

Scheffler was joined at the top of the leaderboard by Spieth, who shot five birdies for a bogey-free 67 in perfect conditions at Albany Golf Club.

Fifteen-time major winner Woods, who is playing his first tournament since undergoing ankle surgery in April, meanwhile, bounced back from his opening 75 with a two-under-par 70 that left him in 15th place on the leaderboard at one over – 10 shots off the lead.

Scheffler was left reflecting on a round that included eight birdies – including five after the turn – that saw him move up the leaderboard. The only blemishes were bogeys on the par-three eighth hole, and the par-four 18th.

“I got off to a good start and then hit some good shots,” Scheffler said.