Tiger Woods set to miss cut at Riviera

Tiger Woods says he needs to exercise patience in his US PGA Tour comeback from injury, with the 14-time major winner set to miss the cut at Riviera Country Club.

Hitting just five of 14 fairways and nine greens in regulation in round two, Woods gave himself little chance at advancing to weekend with a five-over-par 76 sinking his total to six over before darkness play.

With the projected cut of two over to be finalised when play is completed on Saturday morning, Woods will have an extra time to prepare for next week's Honda Classic in Florida.

Woods finished a distant 13 shots back of co-leaders Patrick Cantlay (69), former US Open winner Graeme McDowell (66) and Sam Saunders (round incomplete) at seven under.

The 42-year-old returned to the US Tour in January following a 10-month stint on the sidelines in 2017 while recovering from spinal fusion surgery.

"I haven't played golf in years; it's going to take a little time," Woods said, having played just two US Tour events during the past 12 months.

"I am progressing; I'm starting to get a feel for tournament golf again."

Four-time Masters winer Woods wants to play as often as his body will allow before making a major championship return at Augusta National in April.

But he raised eyebrows when he confirmed on Friday that he'll play the Honda Classic.

Host course PGA National is a brutal test featuring thick bermuda rough, which is sure to penalise his errant driver.

"Well, the last two tournaments I've played have been really tough tests," Woods said of California's difficult Riviera and Torrey Pines courses.

"It is what it is. These are two tough venues and it was tough on me."

The last time Woods competed on consecutive weeks on the US Tour was the 2015 US PGA Championship and Wyndham Championship.