Preparing for a four-week golf series to protect his excursion title, Woods used oil on his 44-year-old muscles, but his neck was not as receptive as he expected.
“I decided to put some up on my neck,” Woods explained, “and it’s not as tolerant as my lower back so it gets awfully hot.”
That didn’t worry the former world number one too much, but he still discovered himself four shots in a leadership organization, adding the 2017 Australian Open champion Davis, making his first FedEx Cup appearance.
Davis, 25, with an 8 under 64 in the $13 million event, held up 25 after a birdie on his 15th hole.
The Sydneysider finished the day in a four-a-day lead tie, with compatriot Adam Scott 3 back after winning a 66.
“My swing is a little sloppy and I don’t hit the ball very solidly on the field,” Davis said.
“And then, to start the last nine with a lot of strength and make a lot of smart shots, I’m proud of the way I dug and did a very clever task by making plans for my shots and making some lines and making some birdies at the beginning of that period.
“I eased the tension a little and let myself continue
‘I felt a little nervous, but I had some changes and (I thought)’ OK, now I have my emotions and I know where the ball’s going and (I started) from there.
That’s 64 for @camdavisgolf @TPCBoston @PGATOUR and a percentage of lead. What a kind of Monash in Sydney. @kayosports pic.twitter.com/d9gGJb2d9i
Davis, who finished 15th last week at the Wyndham Championship, can secure his position in next week’s BMW Championship with a smart score in the next 3 days.
“It’s a little less difficult to plan your way. It’s just a way to avoid this position that suits my eye for the location of each pin,” he said.
“I feel like the game plan I have gives me the chance to make a birdie.”
Matt Jones, the most productive Australian of the moment after Davis and Scott, with 68 to be 3 bass, with Cameron Smith (2 bass) and Jason Day (1 bass) also in the mix.
But Marc Leishman has paintings to do after starting with a four out of 76 to be 11 Davis shots.