Tiger Woods timeline: Documenting three years of struggles on and off the course

By Dave Shedloski, Golf Digest

It's too soon to know if Tiger Woods' season is over, but the pain on his face Sunday after withdrawing from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational suggested that it's a distinct possibility.

In just his third start following his return from back surgery, Woods withdrew after eight holes at Firestone CC, citing lower back injury. After blasting a 315-yard tee shot on the par-4 ninth hole, Woods winced and grabbed his lower back. He walked slowly off the tee and minutes later gingerly sat in a golf cart, his day complete.

"It's just the whole lower back. I don't know what happened," Woods told a PGA Tour official before exiting the grounds.

Asked if he had any indication he would be ready in time to compete in this week's PGA Championship, Woods replied, "I don't know. Just trying to get out of here."

Woods cited this shot on the second hole as the cause of his latest injury.

Woods was 3 over par on the day and 4 over for the tournament when he withdrew from an event he has won a record eight times, including a seven-stroke victory last year.

His day started promisingly with a 10-foot birdie on the opening hole, but trouble reared up when he lost his drive to the right on the par-5 second. The ball plugged just above the bunker, and after taking a free drop, he was forced to take an awkward swing with just his right leg planted at impact. His momentum forced him to jump down backwards into the bunker and run through it.

Though he appeared unhurt, Woods said that sequence was the source of his injury. "It happened on the 2nd hole when I hit my second shot. I fell back into the bunker. I just jarred it, and it's been spasming ever since," he said.

Woods, who first exhibited back problems during last year's FedExCup playoffs, withdrew earlier this year at the Honda Classic after 13 holes of the final round with back spasms, and though he completed the WGC-Cadillac Championship the following week, he was forced to undergo a microdiscectomy March 31 that kept him on the sidelines until early July at the Quicken Loans National at Congressional CC. He missed the cut but managed to complete 72 holes two weeks later at the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool where he opened with a 3-under 69 before eventually falling back to 69th place with rounds of 78-73-75.

By ​Jordan Heck

Tiger Woods' second tournament of 2015 proved to be worse than his first. Thursday, Woods withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open.

A so-so start to Woods' play at one of his favorite course was marred on the third hole when he appeared to injury his back . It was a similar injury that derailed Woods' 2014 season.

Play Thursday was delayed by fog, and Woods believes that contributed to his problem

"It tightened up during the suspensions and it never loosened back up again," Woods told reporters. "It just got progressively tighter.

" … It's frustrating that it started shutting down like that. I was ready to go. I had a good warm up session."

The injury was too much for him to handle, and he quit on the 12th hole. Woods was at 2-over par through 11 holes, deep on the congested leader board. His back pain was so severe he couldn't bend over to pick up his tee following one of his drives. 

That's Billy Horschel picking up Woods' tee. They were grouped with Rickie Fowler.

His struggles were highlighted during a horrible chip shot attempt earlier in the day. He was seen wincing when he swung and was clearly not 100 percent. It's not clear what the future holds for Woods at this point.

Torrey Pines is among Woods' favorite courses. He had won eight times on the San Diego facility, including the 2008 U.S. Open.

Woods said the delay of more than two hours proved impossible to overcome.

"Then I got cold standing out there and everything started deactivating again. It's frustrating that I just can't stay active. That's just the way it is.

"We usually don't have to wait like this back home practicing. You can keep going and going. My glutes are shutting off and they don't activate."

But Woods hasn't been good since returning from 2014's back surgery. He failed to make the cut last week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, finishing with an 82 in his second round. And on Wednesday, Woods was seen trying to correct a severe flaw in his chipping, with little success.

A case of the yips in his short game is one thing. Woods' back problem could derail all further plans ahead of the Masters. It's clear he needs work on his game, but he has told observers he can't put the time into golf he did as a rising star. Family considerations and fallout from his personal issues and divorce from Elin Nordegren combine with ailments to rob Woods of his competitive edge.

Since the start of 2014, Woods has finished two final rounds. Thursday was is eighth withdrawal in 204 starts.

At best, Woods rests and recovers before playing a few tournaments before Augusta. At worst, Woods will no longer be a contender in the PGA.

Contributing: USA Today ,

By Alec Brzezinski

Tiger Woods said Wednesday that he won't play another PGA Tour event until his game is "tournament-ready" again.

"Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me," Woods said in a statement that was posted on his website. "My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back. Next week I will practice at Medalist and at home getting ready for the rest of the year.

"I am committed to getting back to the pinnacle of my game. I'd like to play The Honda Classic — it's a tournament in my hometown and it's important to me — but I won't be there unless my game is tournament-ready. That's not fair to anyone. I do, however, expect to be playing again very soon."

The Honda Classic begins Feb. 26.

Woods last week pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines 12 holes into the first round after injuring his back. The previous week, he missed the cut in Phoenix with a career-worst round of 82 on Friday.

"The last two weeks have been very disappointing to me, especially Torrey, because I never want to withdraw," he wrote. "Unfortunately, lately injuries have made that happen too often. This latest injury is not related to my previous surgery. I am having daily physical therapy and I am feeling better every day."

By ​Jack Davies

Tiger Woods is out of golf's top 100 players for the first time since 1996.

Woods, a 14-time major winner and former No. 1, has not played on the PGA Tour since announcing his intention in February to take an indefinite break from golf. That decision came on the back of injury problems and a notable deterioration in Woods' game.

However, Woods' absence has now seen him fall to 104th in golf's world rankings — his lowest level since leaping from 221st to 75th with a maiden PGA Tour victory at the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational.

The 39-year-old, though, is said to be making significant steps toward appearing in the first major of the year, the Masters, which begins on April 9.

Rory McIlroy remains at No. 1, while Jordan Spieth climbs from sixth to fourth, Dustin Johnson jumps two to seventh, and Jimmy Walker — winner of the Texas Open on Sunday — pushes Justin Rose out of the top 10.

By ​Ray Slover

Why is this man smiling? Tiger Woods on Thursday put up the worst first round of his career at the British Open. Does he know something we don't? Can he walk on water and atone for his awful play in the second round?

“Hopefully the conditions will be tough tomorrow and I can put together a good round,” he told media members at St. Andrews after his stinker of a round. “I’m going to have to have the conditions tough and then put together some really sorry rounds.”

By the leaders, he means  (we think). Whatever it means, Britain's The Guardian wasn't alone is calling Tiger's positive palaver "delusional." Another U.K. publication, the Daily Mail, called Woods' start a horror show.

The Golf Channel's headline: Tiger reaches point of no return. Woods, its story said, "looked positively hopeless." Sports Pickle tweeted this dilly: 2016 ESPY for Courage: Tiger Woods, for continuing to golf in public. It also said he had fired his swing coach — Charles Barkley.

Things are so bad even AARP, the bastion of older Americans, took a shot at Woods. In a tweet, it offered: It's better to be over 50, than it is to be over par. Likely it was in response to a Tuesday comment at St. Andrews when asked if the end of his career was near.

"Retirement?" he said. "I don't have any AARP card yet, so I'm a ways from that."

Forbes named him the worst overpaid athlete. A TV commentator called him a hack.

Here's a positive: 76 wasn't Woods' worst round of 2015. Woo-hoo. He shot an 85 at the Memorial, an 82 at the Phoenix Open and an 80 at the U.S. Open. Woods also had a clunker in 2002's third round of the British Open, an 81.

Maybe the most hopeful message offered to Woods came from the U.K. publication The Independent. In its article on Thursday's play, it suggested Woods either has to laugh at himself or cry. And the story's lead: "Pray for Tiger."

By Alec Brzezinski

A rough year for Tiger Woods got even worse on Saturday.

Expectations were low for the former world No. 1 as he made his way back from injury and a new swing. But things just weren't right from the start, and he missed his third consecutive cut in a major at this week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.

With the second round complete, its finish pushed into Saturday because of a Friday storm, a reduced field started the third round at the course near Sheboygan, Wis.

Woods' 1-over second round that stretched over Friday and Saturday left him at 4 over for the tournament, two strokes off the projected 2-over cut line.

Woods showed signs of his previous self when he finished in a tie for 17th at the Masters, but Woods' once-natural swing has looked mechanical throughout the year.

His finish at the Masters is his best of the season, and his world ranking plummeted to 262nd. This latest setback will put Woods' season in perspective.

From the time he joined the PGA Tour in 1995, to his last major win in 2008, Woods missed two cuts in major championships. Now he miss three in one season — the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA.

Woods will turn 40 in December, which is the number that usually spells the beginning of the end in golf. But Woods has proven he can do things most other guys can't, so we wouldn't write him off just yet.

By Alec Brzezinski

Tiger Woods announced Friday on his website that he had his second back surgery in as many years on Wednesday. He is optimistic he can return early in 2016.

The surgery was performed in Park City, Utah, by neurosurgeon Charles Rich, who also performed the initial operation on March 31, 2014.

"Tiger Woods underwent a microdiscectomy late on Sept. 16 at Park City Medical Center," Rich said. "With the upcoming offseason, the decision was made to remove a small disc fragment that was pinching his nerve. The microsurgery was a complete success, and he was discharged Thursday night."
 
"This is certainly disappointing, but I'm a fighter," Woods said. "I've been told I can make a full recovery, and I have no doubt that I will." 

Woods, a 14-time major champion, will not be able to play in the Frys.com Open in October like he planned. 

"I'd like to send my regrets to Frys and all those associated with the America's Golf Cup," Woods said. "Those were two events I was really looking forward to playing. I was ready to start the 2015-16 PGA Tour season at Frys, and I was excited to join my good friend Matt (Kuchar) in Mexico City.
 
"I will be attending my foundation-hosted Hero World Challenge but won't be able to play. I appreciate everything that Hero does for the Tiger Woods Foundation, and I have a great personal relationship with Mr. (Pawan) Munjal (chairman and CEO of Hero MotoCorp). I look forward to being there to support my event." 

Woods will begin intensive rehabilitation and soft tissue treatment within a week. Healing and recovery times are inconsistent based on physiological factors, but Woods is encouraged he can return early next year.
 
"I appreciate the fans' concern and support," he said. "This is unfortunate, but these things happen. I've been injured before and played again. It won't be any different this time."

By ​Scott Ridge

Tiger Woods turns 40 on Dec. 30, and considering current state of his ailing back, it's possible he has played his last round of golf.

"I don't want it to happen. Without a doubt. I do not," Woods said in a lengthy, detailed interview with Time . "With all my heart, I do not want to stop playing golf. But the flip side is, my kids' lives are much more important to me. Now, if I can do both, that is an ideal world. It's a win-win. If I can only do one, it wouldn't be golf. It would be my kids. That's still a win-win."

MORE: Tiger's golden age | His final tournament? | Media star still blazes

Woods reveals a lot about his personal life in the interview, both now and in the past. It's clear his children, ages 6 and 8, have become the most important element in his life.

When it comes to golf, Woods says he can't stand watching it, and adds his daily goal now is "to do nothing" when it comes to his recovery from chronic knee and back ailments.

"For a guy who likes to work, that's a hard concept for me to understand," Woods said. "I've learned a little bit of it, I think. I know that, one, I don't want to have another procedure. And two, even if I don't come back and I don't play again, I still want to have a quality of life with my kids. I started to lose that with the other surgeries."

.@TigerWoods' first #USOpen title came in 2000 with a record-setting 15-stroke victory. https://t.co/LCeZRHevXV https://t.co/YorjBMxxpe

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) December 2, 2015

Woods, arguably the most dominant athlete of his generation, discusses a litany of professional and private subjects. Among them:

On his relationship with Elin Nordegren, his former wife: "She's one of my best friends."

On how the media has covered him: "There's no accountability in what they say." He also adds there are many in the business he respects.

On chasing Jack Nicklaus' 18 majors (Woods has won 14): "OK, here's the major misconception that people have all gotten wrong. It's what was posted on my wall, about Jack's records. It was not the majors, OK." Woods then explains what drove him to be the best compared to Nicklaus.

The interview is a deep dive straight from the source on all things Tiger Woods, from golf's dress code to former girlfriend Lindsey Vonn.

When asked the obligatory question about legacy, Woods gave perhaps the most astonishing answer. "The greatest thing that could happen is to not be remembered."

By ​Joe Rodgers

Nobody knows Tiger Woods better than his former caddie Steve Williams, who was on the bag for 13 of Woods' major triumphs before the pair split in 2011.

Williams, who once referred to himself as a "slave" while caddying for the former World No. 1, believes Woods' injuries that have left the golfer winless for over two years are because of his training as an athlete rather than a golfer.

"I guess when he looks back, he might question some of the activities that he did, some of the gym work that he might have done that, you know, had all these injuries escalate," Williams told the BBC. "It is very hard to pinpoint how he has got to where he is now but I’d have to say there is a lot merit in [overtraining]."

Claims that Woods' work ethic in the gym was geared toward being more than a golfer were chronicled in his former swing coach, Hank Haney's book "The Big Miss." In the book, Haney cites Corey Carroll, one of Woods' friends, as saying Woods injured his right Achilles tendon doing Olympic-style weightlifting as he returned from reconstructive knee surgery in December 2008.

There are other excerpts in Haney's book that claim Woods trained (and injured himself) with Navy Seals, pushing his limits — a character trait Williams knows Woods still possess but doesn't know if it will help his golf game. 

"I don’t doubt he will come back to the winner’s circle. He is a great competitor, he has an incredible work ethic — when he can work hard — and one thing he does know how to do is win," Williams said. "But whether he comes back and wins major championships? That’s going to be a very difficult task."

Woods, 40, is still without a timetable for a return to the PGA as he recovers from two back surgeries since September, but he is getting back in the swing of things and has begun putting and chipping at his home in Jupiter, Fla. 

By Matthew VanTryon

Tiger Woods will not compete in the Masters, which will take place at Augusta April 7-10.

Woods is rehabbing from a reoccurring back injury and hasn't been on tour since August, when he competed in the Wyndham Championship and tied for 10th.

MORE: Woods swims with great white sharks | Jason Day almost quit in 2011

"I've been hitting balls and training daily, but I'm not physically ready," Woods said in a statement on his website. "I've said all along that this time I need to be cautious and do what's best for my long-term health and career. Unfortunately, playing Augusta next week wouldn't be the right decision. I'm absolutely making progress, and I'm really happy with how far I've come, but I still have no timetable to return to competitive golf."

Woods said he does "plan to attend the Champions Dinner and see a lot of old friends."

Woods finished tied for 17th at the Masters last year, posting a five-under score. He has won the event four times, but not since 2005.

The former No. 1 golfer has not won a PGA Tour event since 2013 and has missed the cut six times in 18 events over the past two years.

By ​Alec Brzezinski

Tiger Woods dropped out of the top 500 golfers for the first time in his professional career in Tuesday's unveiling of the World Golf Rankings.

The 14-time major champion is only three years removed from winning five tournaments, including the Players Championship, in 2013, but injuries and inconsistent form have kept the star out of the winner's circle since.

Woods hasn't played since the Wyndham Championship in August, in which he earned his first top-10 since 2013.

There is some chatter that Woods could return from two offseason back surgeries last fall to play in the Memorial Tournament at the beginning of June. But there is still no timetable for his return.

Now ranked 508th in the world, Woods was No. 875 on April 2, 1995, as an amateur one week before he tied for 41st in his Masters debut.

By ​Sean Gentille

Tiger Woods has developed an impressive ability to only say and do things that remind us all of our mortality, and hey, that continued on Monday.

Woods, speaking at Congressional Country Club in suburban D.C. ahead of the tournament he hosts every year, said that Jack Nicklaus' record 18 majors was still "attainable." Of course that's something he'd say; he has to say it. There's almost nothing to suggest, right now, that it's true. Still, he's got to say it.

“I have been practicing at home, and I’m progressing nicely,” Woods said, according to The Washington Post. “I’m hoping to play. I don’t know when I’m going to play. That’s the overriding question I keep hearing: When are you coming back? When are you playing? I get it all the time. If I knew, I’d tell you, because it’d be fun to know. It’d be nice to know that I am going to play on such-and-such a date, but I don’t know.

Woods has played 20 events since December 2013, been bad in the vast majority of them and golfed minimally since his third back operation last October. The biggest news surrounding him has been ... not great.

IMAGES: Capturing Tiger Woods

In case his words on Monday weren't depressing enough, Woods added that he had no idea whether he'd return from his latest surgery "in a week or a year from now," and promptly sent three ginger wedge shots into a water hazard.

Tiger, in the drink. pic.twitter.com/vgDtD5GESz

— Barry Svrluga (@barrysvrluga) May 16, 2016

Oh, buddy. Come back if you can — we all miss you. In the meantime, please stop with this stuff. It's making us sad.

By ​Alec Brzezinski

Tiger Woods officially withdrew his name from the British Open field on Friday. The 14-time major champion has been out since August after undergoing two back surgeries last year. Woods teased fans last week by saying he might be back for the season's final two majors.

MORE: Check out Tiger's career highlights | Lindsey Vonn says she still loves Woods

Apparently that's not the case.

THIS JUST IN: Tiger Woods officially withdraws from The Open. pic.twitter.com/pVesjCqYHI

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 1, 2016

The British Open will be played at Royal Troon Golf Club in two weeks, but the the former world No. 1 will have to watch as he continues to rehab. Marcus Fraser of Australia will replace Woods in the field.

Last year, Woods struggled after coming back too soon from offseason back surgery, so it is understandable that he is hesitant to return this time around until he's fully comfortable with his swing.

By David Steele

This has to be the end for Tiger Woods, right? There’s no light at the end of this tunnel, no room for optimism, no reason to talk about him and the golf majors in anything but past tense … right?

Wrong.

True, he's running out of factors in his favor. This latest sign that the Tiger we knew is never coming back, it’s pretty grim. Not winning majors in an entire year is one thing. Missing cuts in majors is another. Missing a major or two each year, not good.

Missing all of them in one year for the first time ever, though, that feels like rock bottom.

And doing it not only after multiple surgeries but on the most vulnerable area for an athlete — and doing it when he’s 40 years old — where’s the optimism?

It’s closer than many realize. READ MORE

By ​Alec Brzezinski

Tiger Woods, appearing Thursday on "Charlie Rose: The Week" on PBS to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his foundation, answered questions about his playing career and what he expects for the future — and he slyly hinted he's not done winning majors.

Woods was in the headlines last week when he withdrew from the Safeway Open because he didn't feel his game was at the level it needed to be to compete. That PGA Tour event was to be his first competition since August 2015.

Rose asked Woods if he thinks about a time when he no longer competes, wondering if it's something Woods misses and would miss.

"I miss being out there. I miss competing. I miss mixing it up with the boys and coming down the stretch," Woods said, according to a transcript posted by via CBSnews.com. "I like beating those guys. That's why I practice all those hours … is to be ready to take on those guys down the stretch. And do I miss it? Absolutely, 100 percent. And to be at my age now, at 40 years old … I'm the first one to admit: I can't do the things I used to be able to do. Most people can't at my age, versus when they were younger. I have to find different ways to go about it."

Woods turns 41 on Dec. 30.

Woods faced trials and tribulations in his career, on and off the course. Though he has the same mental toughness he once was famous for, he does have one regret that took place before his professional career even started.

"All the things I've been through are tough, yes," Woods said. "They've been tough, but they've been great for me, but I wish I would've gone one more year at Stanford."

After a brilliant amateur career, Woods enrolled at Stanford in the fall of 1994. At Stanford, he became the first golfer to win three U.S. Amateurs, win the NCAA individual golf championship and was named a first-team All-American. Woods turned pro in 1996 and his was off and running.

Not long after Woods won his 14th major title at the 2008 U.S. Open, his world imploded when a sex scandal rocked his marriage and public image. While Woods stopped short of saying it's had a lasting effect on his mind and game, he did admit he made mistakes, and he had to admit that to his children.

"I look at the fact that, yeah, I've — I made a bunch of mistakes. But in the end, Elin (Nordegren) is my ex-wife. She's one of my best friends. We've had two beautiful kids," Woods said. "I said (to the kids), 'Everybody makes mistakes, and the reason why Mommy's living in her house and Daddy's living in his house is because Daddy made mistakes,' and it's OK."

For a long time, it seemed an inevitability that Woods would break Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships. However, it's been eight years since Woods won a major, and fans are left wondering if he will ever win one again.

Woods isn't so sure himself.

"To be honest with you, no," Woods said when Rose asked him if he will reach 18 majors. "I've accepted I'm going to get more."

Woods, however, is positive he can get the job done. This was his response when Rose asked him if he thinks he can still get to 18 majors.

"To be honest with you, no," Woods said before smiling and adding: "I've accepted I'm going to get more."

By Bob Hille

Tiger Woods announced Friday that he won't play in next week's Genesis Open in Los Angeles or The Honda Classic the following week because of what his website describes as "ongoing back spasms."

Woods was forced to withdraw a week ago at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic after shooting a first-round 77.

"My doctors have advised me not to play the next two weeks, to continue my treatment and to let my back calm down," said Woods, who wasn't scheduled to play this week at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. "This is not what I was hoping for or expecting. I am extremely disappointed."

Woods noted that the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles benefits his foundation and The Honda Classic is played in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., which he described as " my hometown event," making his withdrawals all the more disappointing.

Really looking forward to seeing everyone @genesisopen open next week, unfortunately I won't be able to play. https://t.co/DSGq6okmhu

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) February 10, 2017

According to his website, Woods is expected to travel to L.A. for next week's event.

His possible playing schedule going forward will be determined at a later date after his back is reassessed.

Woods missed the cut in his first PGA Tour event of the year at Torrey Pines in his return after a 15-month absence caused by back problems and surgeries.

By Alec Brzezinski

Nearly 100 players will prowl the fairways of Augusta National next week, but a certain Tiger will not be one of them.

Tiger Woods announced Friday that he will not be playing in the Masters due to lingering soreness in his back. Woods has not played since withdrawing from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February.

"Unfortunately, I won't be competing in this year's Masters," he said in a statement. "I did about everything I could to play, but my back rehabilitation didn't allow me the time to get tournament ready. I'm especially upset because it's a special anniversary for me that's filled with a lot of great memories. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I won my first green jacket.

"I have no timetable for my return, but I will continue my diligent effort to recover, and want to get back out there as soon as possible. 

"I'd like to pass along my regrets to Billy Payne, the Augusta National membership, staff, volunteers and patrons, that I won't be there. I will be at the Champions Dinner and I look forward to seeing a lot of old friends.

"Augusta National has been a very important place to me and my family for over 20 years, and while I'm disappointed, it will be good to be back there Tuesday."

To some, Woods is merely an afterthought, a former legend who hasn't shown any true form since winning five PGA Tour events in 2013. To others, he's the heart and soul of the game, and the Masters won't be the same without him.

Since Woods' absence from golf, Jordan Spieth has emerged as the main threat at Augusta. Still just 23 years old, Spieth won the Masters in 2015, then finished tied for second last year after a devastating collapse.

Woods, a four-time Masters champion, last played in the event in 2015 when he finished t-17. Since that respectable finish, Woods has played just 11 events with just one top 10 to show for his efforts.

By ​Kirstie Chiappelli

Tiger Woods is hopeful his most recent operation will put his pain behind him for good.

The golf superstar announced on his website Thursday he recently underwent a successful surgery on his back to ease the ongoing pain in his back and leg.

"The surgery went well, and I'm optimistic this will relieve my back spasms and pain," Woods said in a statement. "When healed, I look forward to getting back to a normal life, playing with my kids, competing in professional golf and living without the pain I have been battling so long.

"I would like to thank all the fans for staying in touch and their kind wishes. The support I have received has never waned, and it really helps."

The procedure, performed by Dr. Richard Guyer at the Texas Back Institute, is Woods' fourth surgery. He is expected to rest for several weeks before beginning therapy and hopes to return to action in about six months.

"After he recovers from surgery, he will gradually begin his rehabilitation until he is completely healed," Guyer said. "Once that's accomplished, his workouts will be geared to allowing him to return to competitive golf."

Woods, 41, was forced to pull out of the Masters just weeks before the tournament began due to lingering soreness in his back. He hasn't played since withdrawing from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February.

By ​Joe Rodgers

Tiger Woods was confused and stumbling during a field sobriety test early Monday morning when a Jupiter, Fla., police officer approached his black Mercedes with the star golfer asleep inside. 

On Wednesday, the Jupiter Police Department released dash-cam footage from Woods' arrest, which resulted in a DUI charge. The 11-minute video captures Woods cooperating with police, but he was clearly impaired with his speech and motor skills noticeably lagging.

According to a probable cause affidavit released Tuesday, Woods' vehicle was stopped in the roadway and the 14-time major champion "had to be woken up" by the officer who came on the scene.

The affidavit notes that Woods was driving southbound, the opposite direction he should have been going if he was trying to return to his home, which is about five miles from the site of the arrest. The report noted that Woods, who underwent a fourth back surgery last month, was taking "several prescriptions."

In a statement released Monday evening, Woods blamed the incident on mixing several medication, insisting alcohol was not a factor in his arrest.

By ​Matthew Scott

Tiger Woods dropped out of the top 1,000 in golf's official world rankings for the first time in his career on Monday. The 14-time major winner's 683 weeks as world number one are comfortably the most in the history of the rankings, but his career has suffered a dismal slide in recent years amid ravaging back injuries.

Woods has not played in a professional event since February due to back trouble and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he was found asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes on May 29 in Jupiter, Fla, attributing his condition to an "unexpected reaction" to the medication he was on following surgery.

Though the 41-year-old recently completed a "private intensive program", it is unclear when — if ever — the icon will return.

Woods has resided at career-low status in the rankings for some time, but his slide passed a new, eye-catching milestone on Monday, as he was confirmed as the new world number 1,005.

By ​Gabrielle McMillen

Tiger Woods had a cocktail of five drugs in his system during his DUI arrest at the end of May. The golfer tested positive for Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien and THC at the time of his traffic stop, according to the toxicology report released Monday (via ESPN).

Previously, Woods said he had a bad reaction to prescription medication when he was found behind the wheel of his car in Jupiter, Fla.

At that point, he said he had taken a Xanax (a sleeping aid) and Vicodin (a pain medication) as he recovered from back surgery.

Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving and said he would enter a first-time offender diversion program. If Woods completes the program, the reckless driving charge will be wiped clean from his record.

During the time of his arrest, Woods failed multiple sobriety tests, even though he blew a .000 when he took a breathalyzer test. A police dashcam video showed a confused Woods and that his fine motor skills were impaired.

By ​Gabrielle McMillen

Tiger Woods and his lawyer are threatening legal action against tabloid site Celeb Jihad after it posted nude photos of the golfer and ex-girlfriend Lindsey Vonn, TMZ reported.

The photos were obtained from the Olympic skier's phone, which was recently hacked. Woods and Vonn dated nearly three years, and the photos were likely from their time together.

Woods' attorney, Marty Singer, stated if Celeb Jihad didn't remove the photos immediately, they will be sued.

The photo hack is the latest in a string of incidents that have plagued Woods this summer. And persistent back problems have led to a succession of surgeries for the former world No. 1, who has made only three tournament appearances since August 2015 and withdrew from the most recent of those — February's Dubai Desert Classic — after one round.

By Kirstie Chiappelli

Could Tiger Woods have teed it up for the last time as a professional?

While speaking to the media at the President's Cup on Wednesday, the 14-time major champion revealed he does not rule out the possibility that he might not get back to competitive golf.

"I don't know what the future holds for me," Woods said, adding he may not return if he's "not 100% fit."

Woods has endured a volatile year marred by injury and a DUI arrest that prompted treatment for his use of prescription pain medication.

Woods has had four back surgeries since winning five PGA Tour events in 2013 and has not won on the PGA Tour since. He last played in February before undergoing yet another back procedure, though he announced last month that doctors cleared him to start pitching around greens.

By Arthur Weinstein

Golf has a new generation of stars who have emerged in recent years, but none of them have the mass appeal and can generate buzz like Tiger Woods.

Woods, who has battled back problems in recent years, hasn't played on the PGA Tour since January, when he missed the cut in the Farmers Insurance Open. But Saturday afternoon, the golfer posted a simple, slow-motion video on his Twitter feed showing him striking a golf ball with an iron, with the words, "Smooth iron shots."

Smooth iron shots pic.twitter.com/v9XLROZnfW

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) October 7, 2017

Within two hours, Woods' fans had retweeted the post thousands of times. It had drawn around 14,000 likes and almost 800 comments.

If you don't think golf fans are hungry for a Tiger comeback, think again.

"Anyone else watched this 96 times already?" one fan responded.

"I'm in a trance. I'm so happy," commented another.

"Tiger is back! Send Augusta your measurements for the green jacket now," said another.

Also because some people have plenty of time to make memes, there were plenty of those, too.

pic.twitter.com/RGAynfRNYE

— The Source (@TheSource73) October 7, 2017

It's hard to believe, but Woods is still only 41, and if he could get healthy he could still be competitive on the PGA Tour.

By Chelsea Howard

Six months after surgery on his lower back, Tiger Woods has been cleared to resume playing golf with no restrictions.

Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN.com that the 14-time major champion met with the doctor who preformed his fusion surgery for a checkup and received a positive update last week.

"He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed. He can do as much as he needs to do," Steinberg said. "Tiger is going to take this very, very slowly. This is good but he plans to do it the right way."

Woods has been hinting at his progress through social media by posting three videos of himself swinging a golf club. The videos show full shots, but three weeks ago at the Presidents Cup he said he was restricted on the amount of twisting he could do and was limited to 60-yard pitch shots.  

Making Progress pic.twitter.com/I3MZhJ74kI

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) October 15, 2017

Steinberg said that Woods has not reported any pain associated with golf swings, but he did not give any indication as to when Woods would return to competition. 

"We have not even talked about it," Steinberg said. "We will see what each day brings, what each week brings."

By Russell Greaves

Tiger Woods pleaded guilty to reckless driving in a Palm Beach County court on Friday and will enter a pre-trial diversion program.

The 14-time major winner appeared in front of a judge to enter his plea — with the state no longer pursuing a charge of DUI — before being put on probation for 12 months, hit with a fine of $250, ordered to pay $250 to victim services and entered into DUI school.

Woods must also undertake 50 hours of community service, amid a series of probation conditions.

The 41-year-old was arrested on May 29 after police officers found him asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes, which was parked in a travel lane.

Woods failed a sobriety test, but blew a .000 in a pair of breathalyser tests administered after he was brought in by police. He attributed his condition to medication he was taking in the wake of back surgery that has kept him sidelined from the PGA Tour since February. 

In a statement issued on social media in July, Woods said: "I recently completed an out of state private intensive program. I will continue to tackle this going forward with my doctors, family and friends. I am so very thankful for all the support I've received."

Just last week Woods was cleared to resume playing without restrictions, having not been involved in competitive action since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in February after suffering another injury setback.

By Arthur Weinstein

Tiger Woods plans to play his first round of competitive golf in nine months Nov. 30 at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, the golfer announced Monday.

It's not a PGA event, but all eyes in the golf world will be watching as the 11-time PGA Player of the Year makes his long-awaited return from a lingering back injury.

“I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge,” Woods said in a statement on TigerWoods.com. “Albany is the perfect setting and it will be great to join this outstanding field. I want to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero MotoCorp for their continued support of this tournament and my foundation. I would also like to thank the fans for their unwavering support during my injury.”

The 18-player field will be a good benchmark for Woods to measure his progress, as other golfers scheduled to play include six of the top eight golfers in the current world rankings: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, and Rickie Fowler.

Woods just received clearance from his doctor to play. He has not played in a PGA event since late January, when he shot a 76-72 and missed the cut in the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.

The announcement comes days after Woods agreed to a plea deal stemming from his May 29 arrest on DUI charges in Florida. Woods pleaded guilty Friday to reckless driving and was sentenced to 12 months' probation after he agreed to enter a diversion program.

It's worth noting that the Tiger Woods Foundation is one of the charitable beneficiaries of the event, which Woods has won five times. His appearance in the tournament last year ended a 16-month hiatus from the sport because of back problems. He finished 15th in the 18-player field, but his return to the competitive golf left fans hungry for more.

Yeah, the back looks OK.

Tiger Woods 💣😳🚀 pic.twitter.com/hh3jt28k6s

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 4, 2016

Expect plenty of media coverage as the 14-time major winner returns Nov. 30.

By Kirstie Chiappelli

Tiger Woods believes some changes to his sport may soon be necessary.

During his Friday interview with UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma on the "Holding Court with Geno Auriemma" podcast, the 14-time major winner discussed how larger courses may be required if the PGA Tour doesn't make wholesale alterations to the golf ball.

"We need to do something about the golf ball," Woods said. "I just think it's going too far, because we're having to build golf courses, if they want to have a championship venue, they've got to be 7,400 to 7,800 yards long.

"And if the game keeps progressing the way it is with technology, I think the 8,000-yard golf course is not too far away. And that's pretty scary because we don't have enough property to start designing these type of golf courses and it just makes it so much more complicated."

Woods intends to play his first round of competitive golf in nine months on Nov. 30 at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas, after receiving clearance from his doctor to play. He hasn't performed in a PGA event since late January, when he shot a 76-72 and missed the cut in the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego. He later underwent back surgery in April, but he's still pleased with his progress.

"I can't believe how far I'm hitting the golf ball,'' Woods said. "I'm back to hitting it my full numbers (yardages) and not really trying to do that. I didn't realize how much I had dropped off because of the pain in my back and from me going at it and hitting it normal just because I just lived it from day to day and I really couldn't tell the difference. But now I can tell the difference.''

Woods' comeback announcement came just days after he agreed to a plea deal stemming from his May 29 arrest on DUI charges in Florida due to the prescription medication he was taking in the wake of his surgery. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was sentenced to 12 months probation after he agreed to enter a diversion program.

By Bob Hille

Tiger Woods is rolling up on the 10-year anniversary of the most recent of his 14 major victories, but the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook's odds published this month give him as good a shot of winning a Grand Slam event in 2018 as some of the game's young guns.

Bear in mind, Woods turns 42 next month and when he tees off next week in the Hero World Challenge he'll be hitting his first competitive shot in nearly a year (and he hasn't finished a regular full-field PGA Tour event since August 2015).

Still, Westgate's has him at 20-1 odds to win a major this year, right there with Daniel Berger and Bubba Watson. In fact, the Westgate lists name-brand players such as Zach Johnson, Webb Simpson and Jimmy Walker at longer odds.

Interestingly, the sportsbook has Phil Mickelson, who turns 48 in June, at 12-1 to win a major this year.

Here's a glance at the Westgate's odds for several marquee players to win the Masters, British Open, U.S. Open or PGA Championship in 2018:

3-2: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth

5-2: Rory McIlroy

7-2: Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day

9-2: Justin Rose

5-1: Brooks Koepka

15-2: Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey

10-1: Adam Scott

12-1: Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Marc Leishman, Thomas Pieters, Patrick Reed

15-1: Daniel Berger, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Patrick Cantlay, Branden Grace, Kevin Kisner, Alex Noren, Louis Oosthuizen, Xander Schauffele, Charl Schwartzel, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson

20-1: Tiger Woods, Francesco Molinari, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Tony Finau, Martin Kaymer

25-1: Ryan Moore, Zach Johnson, Webb Simpson, Lee Westwood, Jimmy Walker, Kevin Chappell, Bryson DeChambeau, Bill Haas, Jason Dufner, Charley Hoffman

30-1: Pat Perez, Gary Woodland, Bernd Wiesberger, Brian Harman, Padraig Harrington, Emiliano Grillo, Ross Fisher, Si Woo Kim, J.B. Holmes

By Chelsea Howard

Tiger Woods will play in the Hero World Challenge this week, marking the first time in nine months that he will play competitively. 

However, the even more surprising feat for the former world No. 1 is the lack of pain he is in after spending so long battling back problems that have limited him both on and off the course.

"The fact that I don't have any pain in my lower back anymore compared to what I was living with for years … it's just remarkable,'' Woods said, per ESPN.com. 

Big Cat in the Bahamas.@TigerWoods getting ready for his return this morning at the Hero World Challenge. pic.twitter.com/MGQrRag5sH

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 27, 2017

Woods' return this week will make it the 10th time he has returned from layoffs that were 10 weeks or longer. His latest layoff was a result of his fourth back surgery, which was in April, to remove a disk that was causing nerve pain. 

"It's been a struggle for years. To finally come out on the good side of it is exciting. I am stiffer. Of course, [his lower back is] fused. But I don't have the pain. Life is so much better.'' 

Woods only started to take full swings two months ago, but according to Rickie Fowler, Woods is out-distancing him in practice rounds. 

"I haven't really competed in almost two years, really,'' Woods said. "I haven't really done much. I'm looking forward to competing again and trying to find the rhythm and feel of tournament golf. Just hitting shots. I haven't really had a scorecard in my hand in a while. That's going to be different.''

By Bob Hille

Tiger Woods' comeback begins in earnest just after noon ET Thursday, when he tees off in the Hero World Challenge at Albany resort in the Bahamas. But his play in Wednesday's pro-am at the limited-field PGA Tour event offered a tantalizing preview — mostly good — of what's to come.

Now on the tee ... 🐅

Good to have you back, TW. pic.twitter.com/HzmeQmwmVX

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 29, 2017

His front nine included an eagle and two birdies, while he appeared a bit rusty around the greens and chipping. It took him until No. 14 to record a birdie on his back nine, potential proof that his game remains a work in progress. In fact, as the long pro-am round wore on, Woods took to practicing extra on his short game while his four amateur partners played, according to Golf Channel.

Last thing to come back after a long layoff, visuals and feels in short game. Take it from someone who knows

— Arron Oberholser (@ArronOberholser) November 29, 2017

Still, Golf Channel described his day this way: "Not a whole lot of stress. Smooth, easy sailing … Just the way a Wednesday should be."

Woods' amiable attitude (even during a plodding pro-am) and remarkably pain-free swing, easily driving the ball 300 yards, pointed to the kind of play fans grew to expect when he became the dominant player on the PGA Tour, en route to 14 major titles.

.@TigerWoods drove the green on the 340-yard 7th hole during his pro-am round on Wednesday.

Then he made the 20-foot putt for eagle. pic.twitter.com/P6nBsM9H2g

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 29, 2017

Best estimates were that Woods finished the pro-am round at 3 or 4 under. Golf Channel noted that he he all but one fairway in his round. 

It is nine months since Woods, 41, last played competitively, but he will tee it up Thursday alongside PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas as the headline act of a small but stellar field at Albany's 7,300-yard layout.

After his round Wednesday, he mained his wry sense of humor when asked about his Thursday playing partner, Thomas.

Tiger asked what he thought about @JustinThomas34 saying he wanted to kick his ass tomorrow: "There's nothing wrong with that. It goes both ways."

— GC Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) November 29, 2017

Woods hasn't won a tournament since 2013 (when he won five), and it may be unrealistic to expect him to contend right away, but the way he is swinging the club this week offers optimism that he may finally be back to stay.

Watch @TigerWoods' first four holes of his pro-am round at the Hero World Challenge. https://t.co/eiBukFlD39

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 29, 2017

By Bob Hille

Rust? What rust? Tiger Woods, 301 days removed from his last competitive round, caught fire on the back nine Thursday, running off three birdies in five holes in his long-awaited return Thursday in the first round of the Hero World Challenge at the Albany resort in the Bahamas.

And he's back!

For the first time in 10 months, @TigerWoods has returned to competitive golf. pic.twitter.com/FaZMpTlhLs

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 30, 2017

If it wasn't vintage Tiger, it certainly was more than many expected on Day 1.

Showing no signs of limits in his swing, Woods — consistently hitting the ball more than 300 yards off the tee — finished his opening round with a 3-under 69, good to put him three shots back of leader Tommy Fleetwood at the star-studded, limited-field event. 

"For me, I thought I did great," Woods told Golf Channel immediately after his round. "I hadn't played in a while, after some of the difficulties I had been through. To come out here and just score like I did, that was nice. That was fun, to get out there and actually be part of a scorecard again."

Frequently looking loose alongside playing partner reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year Justin Thomas, Woods, 41, carded two birdies — the first by reaching the 572-yard par-5 third hole in two and another at the par-3 eighth — before closing with a disappointing bogey on the par-5 ninth.

That hole served as a microcosm for the status of Woods' game: He was greenside in two but struggled with his short game, a sure sign that this was his first competitive round in some nine months.

Not a bad front nine for @TigerWoods' return. pic.twitter.com/MU0lDo1FnE

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 30, 2017

Still he made the turn at 1-under and quickly added a bounce-back birdie at 10, followed by two more on 13 and 14 to pull within a couple of shots of the lead.

Teeing off just after noon ET, Woods' booming 300-yard opening tee ball flirted with a sandy waste area on the left side of the fairway and — maybe in a nod from the golf gods — got a good kick that bounced the ball into the fairway, leaving him 99 yards to the hole.

From there, he pitched to approximately 15 feet and burned the left edge with his birdie putt. He settled for an effortless par, and just like that he was off in the event he has won five times. Easy.

He worked his way around the front nine without any major problems, looking at times rusty (particularly chipping) but at other times positively Tiger-like, fist pumps and all.

A birdie and another fist pump!@TigerWoods is (-2) as he makes his way to No. 9 at the Hero World Challenge. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/N0yrUMEYsI

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 30, 2017

He made the turn three shots back of the leaders in a star-studded limited field, with Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth all at minus-4. Woods pulled within two with a bounceback birdie on No. 10. Again, very Tiger-like.

A bit wayward off the tee toward the end of his round — fatigue perhaps? — Woods nursed it home over the final holes, dropping a shot at 15, missing a 15-footer for birdie on 16 and then going par-par to finish his opening round.

"I didn't know what I could do," Woods told Golf Channel. "I've been playing golf, I've been playing a lot of holes at home, but it's a little different when you've got to tee it up at a tournament. I had a lot of adrenaline going there, I was hitting the ball a little bit longer than I normally do and I had to dial it back a little bit. Those are the internal struggles that I haven't been through as a player in a while."

Now comes the hard part: Making this comeback stick in the long term. 

Plagued by back problems that have resulted in four surgeries, the most recent in April, as well as turmoil in his private life, Woods — winner of 14 major titles — has plummeted from his longtime perch as world No. 1 to No. 1,199 in the rankings (even if he finishes last at this week's limited-field event, he's guaranteed to rise in the rankings).

His every swing this week, on the practice range and in the pro-am leading up the start of the tournament, has been diagnosed by the media onlookers, and the rekindled interest by golf fans is evident in the type of coverage he will see. Case in point: Golf Channel's Tiger Tracker feed on Twitter tweeted what he would be wearing in Round 1.

Black pants. Dark gray shirt. White shoes, belt and hat.

— GC Tiger Tracker (@GCTigerTracker) November 30, 2017

Not only that, but his mood ("amiable") and attitude ("grateful"), plus what clubs are in his bag, have been the subject of assessment, too.

And no wonder. Woods last played competitively some nine months ago before teeing it up Thursday alongside Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner, as the headline act in the small but stellar field at Albany's 7,300-yard layout.

Woods hasn't won a tournament since 2013 (when he won five), and it may be unrealistic to expect him to contend right away, but the way he is swinging the club this week offers optimism that he may finally be back to stay.

By Peter Hanson

Tiger Woods has spoken of his desire to play a full schedule in 2018 after making a successful comeback from an injury that left him struggling to walk at this month's Hero World Challenge.

The 14-time major champion competed for the first time since April after his troublesome back problems again reared their ugly head.

It was a solid outing from Woods, who placed ninth and even led the tournament in the Bahamas at one stage to provide hope that he can again compete at the highest level.

Woods admits the fact he has to manage his body so carefully makes it difficult to nail down his schedule, but the American remains as hungry as ever.

"I was very encouraged by my performance at the Hero World Challenge, and hope it was the start of something big," Woods wrote in a blog published on his website. "I honestly wasn't sure what to expect after being away from competitive golf and came away excited about my health and my game.

"Before I went to the Bahamas, I played practice rounds with Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson at home. 

"They were all trying to get me to go out to practice and play, and that was nice. They wanted to help me come back and wanted to see me play well. 

"There wasn't a lot of time to fully prepare for the tournament; about a month to be honest. My surgeon was fantastic in guiding me through the rehab process. 

"It was slow and tedious, but paid off. It was a big step for me to go out there and play four pain-free competitive rounds. I practiced after two of the days, so that was nice as well.

"I took a week off after Hero to train and build up my body because as a tournament week goes on, we all degrade a little bit. That's just the nature of playing competitive golf.

"Now, I feel I've taken it to another level. I've started practicing again and was out with Justin the other day and had a good time.

"I'm continuing to progress and trying to get strong enough to where I can handle a workload again. I would love to play a full schedule in 2018. 

"What that entails, including back-to-back events, I don't know. I just have to continue to work on my body and game and see where I pan out.

"I wish I knew where I was going to play and when I was going to play – it's a lot easier to prep for that – but we really don't know. This is all unchartered territory."

Woods added that the pain in his back was so bad he needed assistance walking, and spoke about the tweaks he has made to his game

"I appreciate competitive golf now more than I ever have," he commented. "During that 10-month period I was away from the game, I had a hard time walking and often needed assistance getting out of bed.

"To go from that and be able to play golf – I hadn’t played without pain for a long time – it was nice to just go out there and chill out, have fun with the guys and needle them. The next step was competition.

"My swing is definitely shorter and I can't turn as far. My back is fused and that's as far as it's going to go. But I was surprised at how explosive I was and on top of that, how well I putted. 

"I had been rolling it well at home, but it's totally different when you have adrenaline in your system. 

"I'm more than a full-club longer than when I shut it down. I wasn't hitting it very far and was struggling to hit it solid. That's a bad combo."

By Peter Hanson

Tiger Woods signed for an even-par 72 on his return to the PGA Tour, showing a few glimpses of old magic but plenty of ring-rust at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Former world number one Woods' presence at Torrey Pines has given this tournament an extra layer of attention, but the 42-year-old was mostly serene in Thursday's round — his first official outing in 10 months.

With eight wins in the past at this venue, Woods' muscle memory seemed to snap into action in some places on the south course, nowhere more spectacularly than the par-three 16th, where his tee shot almost found the cup.

Woods is seven shots off the pace set by leader Tony Finau.

Round 1 in 2018 for @TigerWoods is in the books.



He's currently T88. pic.twitter.com/7SKcCmp7M3

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018

The 14-time major champion showed evidence of still getting used to his remodeled action after spinal-fusion surgery last year and his chief issue on his front nine was pulling tee shots left.

After two bogeys in his opening five holes, Woods was back on an even keel through 10 after a perfectly executed wedge masked a slight blemish from the tee to leave him a three-footer for his second birdie.

Woods was back over par in disappointing circumstances at the par-five 13th, lipping out from five feet after a magnificent shot from the bunker which had deserved to salvage a scratchy par.

Composure was regained at 14 and 15 before a marvelous tee shot at 16 brought coos from the Torrey Pines spectators, Woods' ball resting to within three feet off the tee before the birdie was gratefully accepted.

Chances to make further progress did not materialize as Woods' efforts off the tee gave a tired feel, although the determination on show to bring home par will serve him well through the rest of the tournament and beyond into a 2018 in which he has targeted an impact on the biggest stage once again after so many years of doubt.

Finau nabbed sole ownership of first position with a birdie on the 18th — his ninth of a productive Thursday — although two bogeys ensured flawless duo Ryan Palmer and Ted Potter Jr remain well in the hunt at 6 under.

World number two Jon Rahm is in a tie for fifth at 4 under, having rescued par at the last after finding the water to stay well within reach of the leaders.

He found the water and STILL made par.

No. 18 has been kind to @JonRahmPGA.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/c48vRj2fhv

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018