After battling to two impressive rounds at Augusta National this week, Tiger Woods’ Masters unravelled in a big way on day three.
The five-time Masters champion made history yesterday by making his 24th straight cut at Augusta, setting the record for the most in tournament history.
However, that quickly started to become a distant memory for the 48-year-old as he shot the worst round of his Masters career on Saturday, carding a 10-over 82 to tumble way down the leaderboard.
This will be the highest round of Tiger Woods' Masters career.Tomorrow would be his 100th career Masters round, the 21st player all-time to reach that mark.April 13, 2024
It was also his worst score in a Major as a professional, in what was his 99th round at Augusta since making his debut as an amateur in 1995.
His round was just his seventh score of 80 or higher on the PGA Tour, and his third round in the 80s in a Major, with his last coming in the first round of the 2015 US Open when he shot 80.
After starting the day with three pars, Woods’ round started to go downhill as he slumped to three bogeys, two doubles and just one birdie to complete his first nine.
The back-to-back double bogeys on holes seven and eight looked particularly concerning as Woods’ mobility started to look more and more limited, while he appeared to be visibly in pain on hole nine.
His second nine didn't go much better as he added five bogeys and just one birdie, all but ending any hopes that he could contend this week.
Speaking after his round, Woods said he struggled to get anything going on the course.
“I was not hitting it very good or putting well. I didn't have a very good warmup session, and I kept it going all day today. Just hit the ball in all the places that I know I shouldn't hit it.
“It's just that I haven't competed and played much. When I had chances to get it flipped around and when I made that putt at five, I promptly three-putted six and flubbed a chip at seven and just got it going the wrong way. And when I had opportunities to flip it, I didn't.”
Following his second round on Friday, Woods appeared confident saying he was still in it with a chance to contend for the title.
"It means I have a chance going into the weekend," Woods said. "I'm here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament."
However, the 15-time Major winner went from one-over in his first two rounds to 11-over after his third, falling 17 shots behind the leaders.
Woods has been nursing several long-term injuries since a serious car crash in 2021, limiting his ability to walk on the course and swing freely.
He was forced to withdraw from the Masters during the third round last year due to a plantar fasciitis injury, which required surgery.
After play was suspended for two-and-a-half hours on Thursday, Woods was required to play 23 holes on a gruelling, windy Friday – and it looks like it might be starting to take its toll.
Despite admitting he was in pain "all day" and that the long day two wore him out physically, Woods was determined to come back stronger on Sunday.
"My team will get me ready. Club has been awesome. It will be a long night and a long warmup session, but we'll be ready."
