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Woods fades from Masters spotlight during final round
Playing his first event since news of his affairs drove him into hiding for nearly five months, Woods remained in the hunt for a 15th major title right until the end, finishing in a tie for fourth, five shots behind Mickelson.
But the result was not good enough for a combative Woods, who arrived in Augusta expecting to win a fifth Green Jacket. “I wanted to win this tournament,” Woods told reporters. “As the week wore on I kept hitting the ball worse. “I entered this event and I only enter events to win and I didn't get it done. “I didn't hit the ball good enough and I made too many mistakes around the greens, consequently I'm not there.”
The US Masters at one of the world's most exclusive clubs at Augusta National represented the first cautious step in Woods's comeback and the tight security proved to be the perfect re-entry point, shielding him from the tabloid media that had tormented him. The galleries were mostly welcoming and the reviews of his performance, on and off the golf course, generally positive but the same cannot be guaranteed when he next appears.
The 34-year-old American will have much to consider and his comeback now enters unknown and possibly hostile territory -- wherever that may be. “I'm going to take a little time off and kind of re-evaluate things,” said Woods.
Despite the disappointment of not adding the title, Woods will have to be pleased with the state of his game. There were definite signs of rust, which were to be expected, but there were also plenty of positives, including a single Masters record equalling four eagles.
The layoff had also done nothing to dull Woods's competitiveness which was on full display during a roller coaster final round. After a stumbling start to the day with three bogeys in the first five holes, Woods stormed into the turn going eagle, birdie, birdie from the seventh.
He continued his up-and-down play on the back nine, mixing bogeys at the 11th and 14th with a birdie at the 13th followed by another eagle at 15 before signing off with a six-foot birdie putt at the last. “It was a really tough day,” he said. “I felt very uneasy on every shot I hit out there. “I tried as hard as I possibly could to post a number and give myself a chance. “I really dug deep to find something and that's something I'm pretty proud of.”
Gaining control of his game is sure to be easier than gaining control of his emotions, which Woods has made a priority as he tries to repair his battered image.
He had been on his best behavior since arriving at Augusta as he launched a major charm offensive in an effort to win back fans and sponsors. He had pledged during an interview on Monday to give fans and the game more respect and try to tone down his anger and occasional profanity-laced outburst.
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