Tiger Woods too tired to hunt for Championship
Golf legend says he needs more practice, rest time to vie for next trophy
PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
BETHPAGE:
As it turns out, magical comeback victories require more practice and rest time than Tiger Woods has had since winning the Masters last month for his 15th major title.
So the 43-year-old US star was disappointed but realistic Friday after missing the cut at the PGA Championship just a month after ending his 11-year major win drought.
"It's just the way it goes," Woods said. "Unfortunately I made too many mistakes and just didn't do the little things I need to do. I had a couple three-putts. I didn't hit wedges close. I didn't hit any fairways today. Did a lot of little things wrong."
Woods fired a three-over par 73 to finish 36 holes on five-over 145, one stroke over the cut line, in his first competitive rounds since an emotional green jacket triumph last month at Augusta National.
Asked if he had managed to practice enough for the event, Woods replied, "Definitely not."
"Just don't feel well and just not able to do it. But resting would be better, so I would have energy to play," he said. "It's a nice problem to have. I've enjoyed being the Masters champion again and the PGA was a quick turnaround and unfortunately I just didn't play well."
Woods needed nine holes Friday to finally reach a fairway, birdies at six and the par-5 13th negated by bogeys on the next hole and an emotional 40-foot birdie putt at the ninth wiped out by three bogeys to begin the back nine.
"I didn't do all the little things I need to do correctly to post good scores and put myself in position to shoot good scores," Woods said.
Woods emphasized when the week began his body requires more recovery time than in his youthful prime. But he doesn't expect too much more for a full recovery.
As it turns out, magical comeback victories require more practice and rest time than Tiger Woods has had since winning the Masters last month for his 15th major title.
So the 43-year-old US star was disappointed but realistic Friday after missing the cut at the PGA Championship just a month after ending his 11-year major win drought.
"It's just the way it goes," Woods said. "Unfortunately I made too many mistakes and just didn't do the little things I need to do. I had a couple three-putts. I didn't hit wedges close. I didn't hit any fairways today. Did a lot of little things wrong."
Woods fired a three-over par 73 to finish 36 holes on five-over 145, one stroke over the cut line, in his first competitive rounds since an emotional green jacket triumph last month at Augusta National.
Asked if he had managed to practice enough for the event, Woods replied, "Definitely not."
"Just don't feel well and just not able to do it. But resting would be better, so I would have energy to play," he said. "It's a nice problem to have. I've enjoyed being the Masters champion again and the PGA was a quick turnaround and unfortunately I just didn't play well."
Woods needed nine holes Friday to finally reach a fairway, birdies at six and the par-5 13th negated by bogeys on the next hole and an emotional 40-foot birdie putt at the ninth wiped out by three bogeys to begin the back nine.
"I didn't do all the little things I need to do correctly to post good scores and put myself in position to shoot good scores," Woods said.
Woods emphasized when the week began his body requires more recovery time than in his youthful prime. But he doesn't expect too much more for a full recovery.