Anyway, Woods perhaps would not have been in the same friendly, easy-going mode Monday if he hadn't performed well on Sunday at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. No, he didn't win the event, but his 66 was second lowest score of the day, one higher than 65 posted by winner Jim Furyk. As he had done so often throughout his career, Woods was gunning for more history, looking to become just the third PGA Tour golfer to win one tournament four consecutive times. Only legendary Walter Hagan and Gene Sarazen ever won an event four consecutive times. Hagan won the PGA Championship from 1924-27 and Sarazen the Miami Open in 1926-30 (it wasn't held in '27).
However, Woods couldn't recover from his 74-70-72 start and finished tied for 22nd, ending the Buckeye State winning streak. In the second round, he hit 86% of the fairways and 89% of the greens while averaging 311.5 yards off the tee. Phenomenal numbers, except that Woods needed 33 putts. Give him, say, five fewer putts and who knows what could such momentum have done to him heading into the weekend?
He won't play on the Tour until the U.S. Open in two weeks' time. He has travelled quite a bit the last month, so Woods will rest for a few days and will try to regain his putting touch in time for the season's second major.
Just in case you think Woods may not be on the top of his game: in 2000, he finished tied for 23rd at the Western Open two weeks before the British Open, which he won by eight strokes to complete the career Grand Slam. So count him out at your own risk.
*Note: Condolences to the family of Sam Snead, winner of a record 81 PGA Tour events who passed away last Thursday, just four days shy of his 90th birthday. He was the original "Slammin' Sam" who possessed arguably the sweetest golf swing ever and was just as famous for his wry sense of humour. His swing remains the standard by which all others are measured. He will be missed.
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