World number one Tiger Woods birdied the 18th to avoid missing his first cut in a major since turning professional. Woods, who made a five-over 75 in the first round of the USPGA, was in big danger after three bogeys in a row saw him slump to seven over at the turn.
With the cut set to fall on four over, the Masters and Open champion picked up three birdies before a bogey at the 17th left him fighting for survival.
However, he dug deep to birdie the last and move back to four over after a 69.
Woods, who won this tournament in 1999 and 2000, was mightily relieved to make the cut for the 36th time in a major as a professional.
He thought he was safe as he headed to the par-five finishing 17th and 18th right on the cut line.
However, he tried to reach the mammoth 650-yard 17th with his second shot but caught a bad lie near the back edge of a greenside bunker.
 |  I got through somehow. I either messed up or things didn't go my way, but I hung in there and stayed tough |
He came out into the rough above the bunker, chipped on and then lipped out a 10-foot par putt for a bogey six that left him one shot outside the cut.
But Woods, who bogeyed the 18th on Thursday, roused himself for a grand finale and made sure he came through one of the biggest tests of his career with a four.
"I told myself to trust my swing because I have been swinging well all day, especially on the back nine, and I managed to hit a wonderful drive.
"I got through somehow," said Woods. "I either messed up or things didn't go my way, but I hung in there and stayed tough."
There was all manner of drama in the American's round when a large branch by the fourth green came down and hit three people, bringing a brief halt to the action.
Once that commotion was over Woods, whose ball was in the lake, had his third successive bogey. But, showing enormous grit and resolve, the 29-year-old fought back and managed to pull off a stunning recovery.
And afterwards Woods even refused to rule out winning his third major of the season.
"I have now got to play two great rounds to move up the leaderboard.
"It's going to be really hard the way Phil Mickelson is playing but first I need to get into the red numbers for the tournament on Saturday and then who knows what might happen."
All Mickelson had had to say on Woods' plight was: "If you are looking for me to shed a tear it's not going to happen."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
