Tiger Woods watches his drive on the sixth hole during round-robin play at the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament, Friday, March 29, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
For Tiger Woods, it was do-or-die.
And he did in electrifying fashion -- sinking an 82-yard eagle on the 13th hole at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play Championship golf tournament in Austin, Texas, on Friday to advance to weekend play.
TIGER WOODS CARDS HIGHEST SCORE EVER AT 17, MAKES CUT AT PLAYERS
Woods had mounted a comeback against Patrick Cantlay, taking a 1-up lead ahead of the 13th hole. The par-4 hole played only 276 yards, all over water, amid a stiff breeze. Cantlay's drive had settled in a knob above the green, 40 feet from the hole for a chance at eagle. And then it was time for a decision.
"I knew I needed to put it up there to at least have a chance at 3, to force him to have a good pitch," Woods said.
With 82 yards to go, Woods swung his wedge and smacked the ball down the fairway. The ball stopped about 5 feet behind the hole on its second bounce and gently spun back toward the hole. Fans rose to their feet in the stands behind the green and let out a thunderous cheer for Woods when it sunk.
The eagle on No. 13 helped propel Woods to a 4-and-2 victory over Cantlay. But it was only one of Woods’ incredible shots from the tournament.
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A day earlier, Woods pulled off a first-class recovery shot when his ball landed under a bush. From his knees, Woods took a left-handed shot that knocked the ball just a few feet from the pin. He sunk it for par.
Woods’ next match is set for Saturday against Rory McIlroy, who has a chance to return to No. 1 in the world if he wins the tournament.
"We've played tournaments together, battled each other down the stretch at event, but never in a match-play situation," Woods said. "It'll be fun."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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