PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Tiger Woods never recovered from a quadruple bogey on the iconic Island Green on Friday at TPC Sawgrass, but the 80-time PGA TOUR winner left THE PLAYERS Championship full of optimism. Woods came into the week following a neck injury that kept him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, but the 43-year-old closed with his best round of the championship on Sunday. His 3-under 69 left him at 6 under for the week, well off the pace, but still looking ahead with a positive mindset as he gears up to play the World Golf Championships–Dell Technologies Match Play for the first time since 2013. “I was close to getting over the hurdle and getting things rolling, and unfortunately I made a seven over at 17 (on Friday). I missed a few putts that I could have very easily got the momentum going that could have gotten me on a run,â€� Woods said. At the time, Woods had in fact entered the top 10 and was just two off the lead. Two balls in the water ended his charge as a serious threat. “I was close. I know that the score doesn’t really indicate that, but this is one of the golf courses … there’s some weird spots here … this is probably the most stressful golf course you ever play when there’s wind out here,â€� Woods added. “I felt like I was playing well. My score didn’t really indicate that going into the final day, but I was hitting the golf ball well and I’m frustrated at lipping more putts out than I think I have in a very long time. Just one of those weeks where just nothing really got rolling enough to get me going.â€� Woods’ putting may not have been to his full liking, but it was a serious improvement after his previous two efforts. The two-time FedExCup champion had six three-putts in both the Genesis Open and the World Golf Championships–Mexico Championship prompting him to bring in putting coach Matt Killen. He ended the week in the positive when it came to Strokes Gained: Putting. Woods also found himself near the top of the field in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee. “I’m excited the way I drove it. I drove the ball well this week,â€� Woods enthused after hitting 12 of 14 fairways on Sunday. “I drove it not quite as long on the weekend with a little bit cooler temperatures, but I was driving it pretty straight and I was able to shape the golf ball both ways with all three of my woods, which was good to see.â€� As for his neck – and fused lower back – Woods said there were no issues coming out of TPC Sawgrass. And he has no concern with the prospect of having to play seven rounds at Austin Country Club should he be in contention to win the WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play for a fourth time. “I’m hoping that I can play all the matches. That would be great,â€� Woods said. “I’m guaranteed to play three instead of when I played it was only one guaranteed, so that’s kind of nice knowing that I’ll be able to get at least three good rounds in, possibly more if I play well, and that’s basically like a tournament.â€�
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