Tiger Woods completed his worst ever campaign at the British Open on Sunday with a final round of 75 to finish the tournament towards the bottom of the weekend field on six over par.
While it was not the American’s career worst performance at a major, the 14-time slam winner will know he has a lot of work to do if he wants to return to the top.
“I got four rounds in but unfortunately I didn’t play very well today,” said Woods.
“It was a little different than it was on the first day, obviously. But, again, I just made too many mistakes. I had two triples, two doubles. 2 or 3 three-putts this week, just way too many mistakes
As Rory McIlroy arrived at the course looking confident in aviator-style sunglasses, the Florida native was heading in the opposite direction and likely to have departed the course before the six shot leader had even struck a ball.
A promising opening round of 69 left him three shots off the lead, but after narrowly avoiding the cut with an 18th hole birdie on day two for a 77, his form failed to improve during the final two rounds.
The 38-year-old was blown out of contention after a third round 73, when scoring conditions were perfect, and Sunday again saw the former world number one pick up four bogeys and a double against three birdies.
While it was a bad week for Woods, he remains satisfied in getting in valuable tournament experience and testing his back after recent surgery.
“The fact I was able to play a few weeks ahead of time, and I’m only getting stronger and faster, which is great.
“I just had to get more game time. I think we did the smart thing by not playing too much leading into this event, just want to assess how my back was and where I need to strengthen, how I need to go about it, how to gain my explosiveness again, and all that’s come along.”
“I’m still building, I’m still working on my game and I’m still getting stronger and faster.
On his chances of being included in Tom Watson’s American Ryder Cup team to play against Europe in September, Woods thinks he deserves to be in the team when asked if the captain should pick him.
“I would say yes, but that’s my position, my take on it. Well, he’s the captain.
“Obviously it’s his decision, he’s going to field the best 12 players that he thinks will win the Cup back and I hope I’m on that team.”