TULSA, Okla. — Bruised skies, frigid temperatures and soft ground from overnight storms greeted Tiger Woods as he arrived at the Southern Hills Country Club for the third round of the 104th PGA Championship on Saturday.
Then things got worse.
Already in pain before starting his warm-up, Woods experienced one of the most terrifying days he has ever spent on a golf course. as he signed for a 9-over 79. That’s 10 shots higher than his second-round 69 on Friday when he made his way into the weekend despite discomfort from the first tee to the 18th green.
One of the few positives of things for Woods was breaking 80. Woods needed to play his last five holes at 1 under and with a birdie on 15 and four pars, the last one with a knee strike 5-in footer. from the 18, the 79 looked much better than an 80 in Woods’ eyes. Still, it was the four-time Wanamaker Trophy winner’s highest score at a PGA by two strokes.
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Almost everything else, however, was miserable. For the first time in a major championship as a pro, Woods had five straight bogeys or worse. He hit a triple bogey 6 on the downhill par 3 sixth. He hit two balls into the water. He hit just six fairways and six greens in regulation on a day when the thermometer never hit 60 and it really didn’t look like it hit 50.
And his right foot, ankle and leg, severely damaged 15 months ago in a nearly fatal single-car rollover accident that caused doctors to discuss amputation of his right leg, never felt right.
Although Woods has a high tolerance for pain, he will receive prolonged treatment and decide whether to play the final round or not.
“Well, I’m sore,” Woods said. “I know that for a fact. We’ll do some work and see how it goes.”
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As for how he fared on the golf course, Woods didn’t mince words.
“I just didn’t play well. I didn’t hit the ball very well and I didn’t get the start that I needed,” he said. “I thought I had a good tee shot 2 and I ended up in the water, and I just never got any kind of momentum from my side.”
His worst streak began in the sixth and did not stop until he left the 13th green. In eight holes, he made a par, six bogeys and a triple.
“Well, I couldn’t get off the bogey (or other) train there,” Woods said. “I didn’t do anything right. I didn’t make a lot of good shots.
“Consequently, I ended up with a pretty high score.”
But not his highest in a major. That still stands at 81, which he shot in the third round of the 2002 Open at Muirfield. He also shot 80 in the first round of the 2015 US Open in Chambers Bay.
While Woods has said many times that his future holds only a few select tournaments a year, and that he loves to compete, Saturday may make him reevaluate his desire to play in the final round.
Currently tied for last place, Woods would tee off around 7am local time. While it will be a little warmer, taking the precautionary route may be a wise decision, especially given how sore his right foot, ankle and leg have been since he first resigned in Tulsa on Sunday. .
Reference-www.usatoday.com