Golf Roundup: Tiger not as solid as Rock
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Tiger Woods talked all week about his improved ball control -- then it let him down when he needed it most.
Woods resembled the Tiger of old over the first three rounds at the Abu Dhabi Championship in United Arab Emirates, stringing together rounds below par before shooting an even 72 in the finale Sunday to finish in a tie for third place behind winner Robert Rock of England and reigning U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy.
Rock, ranked 117th, shot 70 for a 13-under 275 total to beat McIlroy (69) by a shot. Woods was another shot back with Thomas Bjorn (68) and Graeme McDowell (68). Italian Matteo Manassero (69) and George Coetzee (70) of South Africa three back.
"I just didn't give myself enough looks at it," Woods said. "Most of my putts were lag putts. I didn't drive the ball in as many fairways as I should have ... It was a day I was just a touch off the tee and consequently I couldn't get the ball close enough."
It marked the second time in a row Woods hasn't won with at least a share of the lead after 54 holes. He failed to win the Chevron World Challenge in 2010 after going into the final round with a four-shot lead over McDowell.
Woods, a 14-time major winner, appears to have recovered from a two-year victory drought in which he was sidelined by injuries and personal turmoil. But Woods must now face the fact that, at age 36, there are plenty of players -- known and unknown -- who can potentially beat him.
"There's plenty of big events to go, but I'm pleased at the progress I've made so far," said Woods.
Coming into Sunday, Woods was tied for the lead with unheralded Rock and was the clear favorite to win. Rock had only one victory under his belt compared to 83 for Woods worldwide, but it was Rock -- battling his nerves over playing alongside one of his golfing idols -- who held it together down the stretch.
Rock wobbled on the 18th when his drive landed in a pile of rocks near the water -- forcing him to take a drop -- but he recovered beautifully, reaching the green in four and two-putting for the win.
• Farmers Insurance Open: Brandt Snedeker won in a playoff no one imagined possible until Kyle Stanley hit a wedge into the water and made triple bogey on the final hole in regulation. Snedeker had a tap-in birdie on the 18th and was so certain he would be the runner-up that he drove up to the media center for an interview, just in time to see Stanley run into trouble. Both players made birdie on the 18th in the playoff, then Snedeker won on the second extra hole with a 5-foot par putt. Stanley's putt from about the same length caught the right side of the lip. It was a devastating loss for Stanley, who led Snedeker by seven shots at the start of the round, and was three shots ahead standing on the 18th tee. Snedeker won his third PGA Tour title. He closed with a 5-under 67 to match Stanley (72) at 16 under at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif. John Rollins shot a 71 to finish third, two strokes back.
First Published January 30, 2012 12:00 am
