The posse is not without talent. Verplank, who is two shots behind, has five PGA Tour wins. Ogilvy, who is three back, has that gift-wrapped 2006 U.S. Open on his mantle. Stephen Ames, also three back, won the 2006 The Player’s Championship. The artist formerly known as Ernie Els is even-par and six shots away; Retief Goosen, the 2001 U.S. Open winner at Southern Hills, is one more in arrears.

Even John Daly has not totally expired. Give him a chance to pump some nicotine and caffeine back into his system and who knows what he might do over the weekend. To be sure, there is a lot of golf to be played at these Southern Fried Hills. But c’mon.

Woods had eight birdies on Friday, and the best damned par save you ever might see on No. 12. He had 10 one-putts and a chip-in on Friday. It wasn’t just the best round of the tournament, it was the best round of the year and the best round of his professional life. 

And here’s a news flash for Sergio Garcia, who apparently is under the impression that bad luck picks on him and him alone: With the slightest favorable rub o’ the green, Woods had another birdie and another notch in his belt of “Oh no you didn’t” moments.

His 12-foot putt for birdie on No. 18 ran around the inside edge of the cup and spun out. Had it dropped, he would have shot a 62, the first of his career, the first of anyone’s career in a major championship.

And yet, his eye remains focused on the prize. “I was just trying to get myself back in this tournament,” he said afterward. “And lo and behold, here I am. A 62 would have meant I had a three-shot lead instead of a two-shot lead.”

If this tournament isn’t over yet, it’s on 18-hole standby. Players will be re-routed on Saturday and one quirky skeleton will remain in Woods’ bag. He has never won a major of which he did not have at least a share of the lead after 54 holes.

In short, if those 72 players still standing after the 36-hole cut on Friday are going to get him, they better get him on “Moving Day.” Or they better just move out 'the way.

The last major of the season now belongs to Tiger Woods, his to lose or his to keep.

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