Woods seizes lead at Buick Invitational

He has a four-shot lead over rookie Kevin Streelman.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kevin Streelman had his head down as he rapped a few putts to kill time, realizing that as third alternate at the Buick Invitational, the 29-year-old rookie probably would get a chance to play.

When he looked up, he was startled to see Tiger Woods in front of him.

“I was kind of awestruck for a second and I said, ‘Wow, I guess I am on the PGA Tour,’ ” he said. “It was pretty cool.”

It might be even more jarring to see Woods on the first tee in the final group Saturday at Torrey Pines.

Woods made short work of the North Course on Friday with a 7-under 65, giving him a four-shot lead as he tries to win the Buick Invitational for the fourth straight year. Adding to his odds is being a chased by a rookie who’s just happy to be here.

Streelman was the last alternate to get in, opened with a 67, then made it around the tough South Course on Friday with a 69 that put him in second place on the leaderboard, and under a big spotlight on the weekend.

“Obviously, it’s going to be a huge ordeal out there, but it’s going to be great,” Streelman said. “If I play great, great. If I don’t, it’s going to be a tremendous learning experience.”

For Woods, it was old hat.

He chipped in for par, escaped from a couple of trees and matched his best start ever at Torrey Pines at 12-under 132.

The hard part might be reminding himself the tournament ends Sunday.

“If they handed out the trophy today, then it would be over and no big deal,” Woods said. “But since we have so many more holes to play ... as you’ve seen on tour, anything can happen.”

In this case, “anyone” might be more appropriate.

The world’s No. 1 player said he had never heard of Streelman, and when told that he was No. 1,354 in the world ranking, Woods replied, “I think he might be going up.”

Joining them will be Stewart Cink, who shot a 69 on the South and was another shot back at 7-under 137.

Troy Matteson got turned in the wrong direction. After a 65 on the South Course that he said he couldn’t top, he was 10 shots worse on the North Course, shooting a 75 to fall eight shots behind.

For the second time in three weeks, nearly 20 guys left town with last-place money and no tee time.

The cut of top 70 and ties amounted to 85 players, and because that number exceeded 78, only 66 players advanced to the weekend. Among the casualties were Kenny Perry, Chris DiMarco and Jay Williamson, who was one of six players who signed a petition at the Sony Open to get rid of the new cut policy.