Woods fires record 5-under 67 at European Club
BRITTAS BAY, Ireland -- Tiger Woods prepared for next week's British Open by shooting a course-record 5-under-par 67 at the European Club on the East Coast of Ireland.
Woods played the 7,300-yard links course Friday amid tight security with David Duval, Mark O'Meara and Scott McCarron.
The Masters and U.S. Open champion called the course the perfect preparation for the British Open next week at Muirfield in Scotland.
"This is great. This links is tough and demanding and just what I needed right now,'' Woods said.
Woods' round included an eagle at No. 3, a cut 3-iron from behind a bush to the center of the green at the 470-yard seventh; and a long 2-iron shot to set up another birdie at No. 10.
Woods hit driver twice and was just short of the 596-yard, No. 13, where he made an easy par.
At the 420-yard No. 17, where an elevated tee gives a view of the entire course and the Irish Sea, Woods hit his drive into deep rough. He hit a 9-iron on his second shot and nearly hit the pin, drawing gasps from a small gallery.
After the round, course owner Pat Ruddy conferred honorary life membership on the foursome.
Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press
