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It looks like Mission Impossible, even for Tiger Woods. Somehow the shaken world No.1 must attempt to turn around a debacle at the World Golf Championships event in Ohio in the space of just three days before the year’s final major, the PGA Championship, gets underway.
But Woods appeared and sounded like a shattered man after the worst performance of his pro career as he stumbled to a closing 77 to finish 18-over-par 298 – an astonishing 30 shots behind winner Hunter Mahan on a Firestone course where he has won seven times in the past.
Scandal-hit Woods choked up near the end of his post-round press conference as he told reporters: “It doesn’t surprise me at all. It’s been a long year,” said Woods, alluding no doubt to the fall-out from revelations of his multiple affairs and his apparent imminent divorce from wife Elin.
It would be astonishing if Woods could regain his form in time for Thursday’s first round of the PGA at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin although that is his plan.
“Shooting 18-over is not fun,” said Woods. “I don’t see how it can be fun, especially since my handicap is supposed to be zero.
“I’ve got to be ready come Thursday, that’s all that matters.
“I need to hit the ball better, chip better, putt better, score better.”
What probably pains Woods most is that he is not in control, for the first time in his adult life.
Unless all the reports are wrong, Elin initiated the divorce, which must be a huge blow to a mighty ego.
His numbers at Firestone would have been inconceivable a year ago. He finished second-last after making bogey or worse on 25 holes.
Australian Adam Scott wasn’t completely shocked that Woods was so woeful at the Bridgestone Invitational.
“It’s surprising to see a player of his greatness play like that, but he’s only human,” said Scott, who tied for ninth.
Scott, who struggled in the wake of a break-up with a girlfriend two years ago, understands that it can be difficult to bring your best game to the course when your life off-course is a mess.
“He’s probably frazzled,” said Scott. “He’s got a lot on his plate, let alone playing badly.
“Playing badly sucks at the best of times.
“We’re used to seeing him come to tournaments absolutely prepared and he’ll probably tell you he hasn’t been absolutely prepared for one event this year, given all his circumstances.
“It can be difficult (to play your best) on a regular basis.
“You can get away with it a few weeks here and there, but maybe the lack of work he’s been able to do this year, or whatever it is, came to a head and showed up here on a pretty hard course where the margin for error is so small.”
Scott, for one, isn’t counting Woods out.
“He might not be the benchmark next week but I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Scott said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in contention.”
Mahan shot a closing 66 to finish at 12-under 268, two strokes ahead of fellow American Ryan Palmer.
Australians Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy tied for 22nd on one-under.
Day said afterwards that he planned to play the PGA Championship, after claiming the previous day that he might pull out to undergo sinus surgery.
“I felt okay today, so I’m going to play,” he said.