Tiger Woods takes solo lead in The Open, has shot at improbable win

Just when it looked as if Tiger Woods may never win another tournament, let alone another major, there he was with the solo lead in arguably the toughest of them all in 2018.

For much of his career, if Tiger Woods said he had a shot to win a major golf tournament, you believed him. There was no reason not to, given his success.

When Woods proclaimed that he had a shot to win The Open Championship after being within striking distance of the lead, it was a little bit tougher to buy in. This was, after all, the 42-year-old version of the man who was once the greatest golfer in the world, one ravaged by injuries and uncertain play in recent years. There was also that not so small matter of all the other golfers ahead of Tiger or tied with him to start the final day at Carnoustie.

Then something amazing by today’s standards happened: Woods teed off and started putting together a great final round, and others started falling off. Improbably, Woods found himself someplace he hadn’t for quite some time.

Via ESPN Stats and Information, it was the first time Woods held the lead of a golf major on the final day since the 2009 PGA Championship.

Woods had an adventurous 10th hole where he almost gave away his newfound leader status as soon as he earned it. But after finding a fairway bunker, he made a tremendous pitching wedge shot to save par and remain just ahead of Francesco Molinari and Jordan Spieth at -7 for the tournament.

Next: How The Open leaderboard looked after Round 3

Woods has won 14 majors during the course of his career, but none in a decade since he claimed victory in the 2008 U.S. Open. He has won The Open Championship, still known colloquially to many as the British Open, three times, including back to back triumphs in 2005 and 2006.

Whether he’s able to finish off this one or not, simply being in position to win what would be the unlikeliest of his majors will be a story that will keep the golf world buzzing for some time.