TIGER WOODS ADMITTED he felt โticked offโ after failing to capitalise on taking the outright lead on the final day of the 147th Open Championship.
The 14-time major winner started the last round four shots back from a leading overnight trio that included reigning champion Jordan Spieth.
But he climbed to the summit of the leaderboard after getting to seven under as his rivals began to fall away.
However, he toiled at the 11th and the double-bogey six that resulted was followed by another dropped shot at the next hole, all but ending his challenge as playing partner Francesco Molinari ultimately claimed the Claret Jug.
A little ticked off at myself for sure,โ said Woods. โI had a chance starting that back nine to do something, and I didnโt do it.
โStarting out the day, I saw that Jason [Day] played a beautiful round early [shooting a 68]. Brooksy [Brooks Koepka] played another solid round [70].
โI thought nine [under] would be the number. There are three guys at nine. I thought one of those guys would shoot even par. I thought it was tough out there, but I figured I needed to go get that number so far.
Next thing, lo and behold, Iโm tied for the lead, and then Iโm leading it. Unfortunately, I hit a bad three iron off the tee there at 11. Grass grabbed my shaft again and hit it left. I made a couple mistakes around the green. And same thing at 12.โ
Despite his evident disappointment, Woods did enjoy being involved at the business end of a major again, 10 years on from his last triumph.
He added: โOh, it was a blast. I was saying earlier that I need to try and keep it in perspective because, the beginning of the year, if theyโd have said youโre playing The Open Championship, I would have said Iโd be very lucky to do that.โ
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Itโs a stupid rule reallyโฆbut as he said dems the rules.