British Open Golf 2013 Day 2 Results: Tiger Woods Within Striking Distance on Leaderboard

By Lou Aguila (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jul 19, 2013 05:24 PM EDT

Tags Tiger Woods, British Open, Rory McIlroy, Muirfield, Phil Mickelson, Miguel Angel Jimenez

Tiger Woods experienced the same tricky problems he had from the opening round at Muirfield at the 2013 British Open on Friday.

Ironically, he again found ways to shake away his struggles and finish the round in a strong note. It's all déjà vu for the world's top golfer in the second round of the Open championship as the enigmatic Woods shot even-par 71 to enter the third round with just one stroke deficit over the clubhouse leader Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Looking to end a five-year run without a Grand Slam crown, Woods has put himself in great position to control the tournament when play resumes on Saturday.

"I'm in a good spot," Woods told reporters after finishing his second round, according to ESPN. "These guys have to go out this afternoon and obviously play a golf course that's quick, and it's drying out and with a different wind. So it will be tough out there."

Woods didn't have hard time off the tee, but the fast surface of the golf course really complicates putting, not only for the American but the rest of the field. Overall, Woods' par saves in the 10^th, 13^th and 14^th hole and his huge 12-foot birdie putt on 18 really made the difference in the round.

But despite his early success, Woods is aware that the real test for him will come in the next two days, which has proven to be his Waterloo in the past couple of years.

According to ESPN, Woods usually performed well in the first two rounds of a Grand Slam tourney, shooting a combined 11 under in round one and two of the last six majors he participated. On the other hand, Woods is 30 shots worse in round three and four of a Grand Slam competition over that span.

"You continue playing, continue putting myself there," Woods added. I'm not going to win every major play in, but certainly I can try and put myself there. If I give myself enough opportunities, I'll get my share, and I think I have so far in my career."

For now, Jimenez has the tournament under his control after finishing even-par 71 in the second round. Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood also put themselves within striking distance following a solid day on the course while two-time Grand Slam champ Rory McIlroy ultimately succumbed to the wrath of Muirfield as he was nothing near impressive in the first two days of competition.