Tiger Woods uses late rally to make the Memorial Tournament cut right on the number

Tiger Woods had to hit a nervous 7-foot putt on his final hole of the day to avoid missing the cut at the Memorial Tournament for the first time in his career. Woods — who is playing the event for the 17th time — struggled early, but managed to salvage a few late birdies to make the weekend.

He’s right at the cutline at 3-over after 36 holes.

After shooting a 1-under 71 on Thursday, Woods was five strokes back of leader Tony Finau. Following Thursday’s performance, Woods said he felt nervous to compete after a five-month absence as a result of events being canceled due to the coronavirus.

Through three holes Friday, it looked like Woods might gain some ground on the competition. Woods — who started the day on Hole 10 — birdied No. 12, bringing him to 2-under for the tournament. Things only went downhill from there.

Woods bogeyed three times on his first 9 to move to 1-over. Then things really fell apart on No. 1. Woods was in good position off the tee, but wound up chipping into a green-side bunker from an awkward spot. Unable to get up-and-down from the sand, he finished with a double bogey on the hole. That, coupled with a bogeys on holes 2 and 6, moved him to 5-over and in serious danger of missing the cut.

With the pressure on, Woods delivered. He birdied 7 and 8, then sunk a clutch par putt on 9 after getting into trouble off the tee.

At the time, the projected cut was 2-over so it didn’t look good for Woods.

But some high scores from players on Friday afternoon moved the cutline in Tiger’s favor.

He’ll get to play the weekend after all, but he’s well behind co-leaders Ryan Palmer and Finau at 9-under.

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