Tiger Woods has sensationally been taken out by a fanatical security guard. Photo / Twitter.
Tiger Woods has sensationally been taken out by a fanatical security guard. Photo / Twitter.
Tiger Woods has sensationally been taken out by a security guard during his second round at The Masters on Saturday morning.
The superstar delivered the highlight moment of the tournament so far when he completed a "miracle" comeback to card a birdie on the same hole.
The golf world's hearts were in their mouths on the 14th hole after Woods' left leg was dramatically taken out from under him when a security guard slipped as he was trying to clear the path of spectators between Woods and the green.
In a moment that sent a shudder across the entire sport, the seucurity guard rushing up behind Woods slipped after earlier rain at Augusta National and crashed into Woods' back leg as the 43-year-old made his way to the green.
While golf fans around the globe were left wondering if Woods could even complete his second round, the superstar showed an ankle injury is not going to stop him from winning The Masters as he pulled off a miraculous birdie on the par-4 14th.
Woods' tee shot found the rough, but his approach from the shrubs gave him a long-range birdie putt.
It was then that the security guard struck in a scene some commentators have labelled the "craziest thing ever seen on a golf course".
The birdie took Woods to six under — one stroke behind the leading pack which features Adam Scott and Jason Day.
Tiger Woods walks in the rain on the 13th hole during the second round for the Masters golf tournament Friday, April 12, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
I’ve seen a lot of crazy things at this tournament. That 14th hole for Tiger start to finish has to be among the craziest. #TheMasterspic.twitter.com/8rEbnnRZBB
When one second of your day, labels you for the rest of your life. 10 years from now: “ hey dad, isn’t that the schmuck who ran into Tiger?” #Masterspic.twitter.com/3GhiEjryQn
Meanwhile, an injured Jason Day has surged into a share of the Masters lead midway through the second round just one day after battling crippling back pain at Augusta National.
The Australian, who received medical treatment on course beside the second hole on Thursday, came out firing on Friday with a five-under-par 67 which rocketed him to seven under.
The former world No. 1 is in a five-way share of the lead after Aussie Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen made late runs to join Day, Francesco Molinari and Brooks Koepka at seven under.
British Open winner Francesco Molinari earlier matched Day's 67.
Overnight leader Koepka had a disastrous start to his second round, but recovered on the back nine with two birdies in his final four holes to join Day and Molinari at seven under.
Scott also enjoyed a red hot start to his second round with three birdies to climb up to six under, just one stroke behind the leading trio.
The former Masters champion then took the outright lead with a stunning eagle on the par-5 15th, but he followed it up with a bogey on the 16th to sit alongside countryman Day.
Dustin Johnson and Justin Harding are also at six under.
Day closed his round with three birdies over the final six holes. The 31-year-old Australian's best finish at the Masters was when he tied for second in 2011. This is his ninth appearance at Augusta National.
Day revealed after his second round that he has been battling issues connected to his ribs being out of line.
He said he has been blowing into balloons after every round in a bid to get his bone structure back into alignment.
"I've been battling back issues pretty much the whole year," he said.
"Having to play four in a row. It started in Bay Hill, epidurals and shots in the back and last week I had another one before the tournament started. It felt a lot better.
"I was very concerned about it but where it hurt the most was a couple practice swings, not necessarily the shots themselves. Got some physio and chiro last night and this morning. I know the protocol."
Molinari played a bogey-free second round Friday with three birdies on the front nine and two more on the back.
The 36-year-old Italian is trying for his second major championship after winning the British Open last year.
Koepka, the overnight leader, ran into some early trouble.
Koepka made birdie on his first hole but then made double bogey on No. 2 after hitting his drive into the trees and having to take a drop.
Phil Mickelson is two shots back at 5-under after a birdie on No. 2.
The golfing world was left stunned at Day's remarkable comeback from his ongoing back complaint.
Former Masters champion Zach Johnson became the laughing stock of the golf world on Saturday morning when he accidentally connected with the ball during a practice swing.
Johnson was swinging away on the tee at the par-5 13th hole where he had set-up his ball on the tee well to the right of where he was practicing his swing.
Unfortunately, his practice was so wayward, that the edge of his club face connected with the teed ball — sending it crashing into the sign posts that mark the 13th hole tee area.
After it rebounded back onto the tee about 10m in front of him, Johnson had to suffer the embarrassment of walking up the fairway to pick up his ball and tee off again.
Johnson, under the rules was able to escape without any penalty stroke being added to his score.
"Regarding Zach Johnson hitting the ball on a practice swing at #themasters, since he had no intention of striking the ball, he has not made a stroke," the USPGA said in a statement.
"On the teeing area, there is no penalty and the player simply re-tees because the ball is not yet in play."
He actually carded a birdie for the hole and finished his day at one over — enough to see him safely through to the weekend.
