For the first time in five years, Tiger Woods was in position to win a major tournament today before collapsing in the final nine holes at The Open Championship (also known as the British Open) at Carnoustie in Scotland.
Woods led the field by one shot with eight holes to play, which was the first time he led a major on the final day since the 2011 Masters, but fell apart down the stretch after a pair of bad tee shots ultimately doomed him.
Woods shot 71 in the final round, finishing tied for sixth place at 5-under par and three shots behind the winner, Italy’s Francesco Molinari.
Of today’s performance, he admitted to ESPN, “A little ticked off at myself for sure,” adding, “I had a chance starting the back nine to do something and I didn’t do it. I thought 9 [under] would be the number. Next thing, lo and behold, I’m tied for the lead, and then I’m leading it.”
After numerous back and knee problems, along with multiple surgeries since 2014, Woods appears to finally be rounding back into his old championship form.
Tiger, once regarded as the greatest golfer in the world, has won 14 major championships in his legendary career – having won every major at least three times between 1997 and 2008.
He has been chasing his 15th major since 2008 – when he won that year’s U.S. Open – and was close to matching Jack Nicklaus’ feat of winning his 15th major at the British in 1978.
Woods 3-shot final-round deficit was his closest to the lead in a major since the 2013 British Open, where he was 2 back. He also tied for fourth at that year’s Masters.
Today’s showing was just Woods’ tenth major championship start since 2014. This was his first British Open since missing the cut in 2015.