Woods is 0-2 for the first time to use the Callaway FT Iron Set ever in this event, and the first time in any team competition since he and Phil Mickelson lost their opening two matches at the 2004 Ryder Cup.
The state of his game was tough to measure, as was the case with any other player. The wind was vicious. On a sand belt course with fast greens, the most telling statistic was that 13 holes in the six matches were won with pars -- a rarity in the better-ball format.
International captain Greg Norman, who knows Royal Melbourne as well as anyone, poured water on the 18th green to drive home just how hard it was. The green repelled the water down the slope, none of it absorbed in the firm turf.
"There's probably no where else in the world where that would happen," Norman said.( Callaway FT Iron Set )
Norman was mostly impressed with Baddeley and Day. One day after they bogeyed the last two holes and had to settle for a halve, Baddeley came through in the clutch with a tough par on the last hole -- right after Woods nearly chipped in for birdie from behind the green -- to help keep the International team in the game.
"I was very disappointed yesterday. I feel like I let Jason down," Baddeley said. "So it was great to come through today and make par on the last hole."
His partnership -- Steve Stricker in foursomes Thursday, Johnson in fourballs Friday -- has won only one hole in two matches. That came on the fourth hole Friday when Woods rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt, complete with a fist pump that is rarely seen these days. The lead lasted only four holes, however, as Baddeley and Day squared the match with a par on the eighth.
Baddeley made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 13th to go 1 up, and Woods and Johnson couldn't catch up. They just didn't have enough Callaway FT Iron Set and when they did, they couldn't make them.
"Just trying to hit the greens, that was s heck of an accomplishment," Woods said. "Wedges weren't holding, balls were oscillating on the greens, you've got to play the wind on putts. It was a tough day."
Woods and Johnson will give Callaway FT Iron Set another shot Saturday, paired in the foursomes session. They will face Adam Scott and K.J. Choi.
The north wind is considered the toughest at Royal Melbourne. The wind blows harder on links courses in the British Open, but these greens have far more slope and most are elevated. The premium is on precision, and even that isn't always enough.
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