Tiger Woods’ 100th competitive round at the Masters was not a memorable one.
He shot a 5-over-par 77 and finish the tournament at 16-over par — the worst score he’s posted in his 26 career Masters, including the two he played as an amateur, in 1995 and ’96, and the worst 72-hole score of his pro career.
Woods, too, finished last among the 60 players who made the cut, two shots worse than 61-year-old Vijay Singh.
The 48-year-old legend, who’s won the green jacket five times, departed Augusta National quietly on Sunday and immediately set his sights on his next task: The PGA Championship next month at Valhalla in Kentucky.
“It was a good week all around,” Woods said. “Coming in here, not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, (Saturday) it didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted it to.
“Today, the way that Tom (Kim) is playing I thought I had in my system,” Woods went on, referring to Kim’s 6-under-par 66 in the final round. “Unfortunately, I didn’t produce it.”
But it was still a remarkably gutsy effort from Woods, who woke up at 3.45am to begin his physical preparations for a gruelling final round.
Neal Shipley, the low-amateur who played the final round with Woods, said afterwards: “Certainly rooting for him [Tiger Woods] and rooting for good golf shots. He was awesome. Wish him nothing but the best.
“I really appreciate all the work that he does to keep his body ready to come out here. He told me that he woke up at like 3:45 this morning just to get ready for the day, which is — I got about three hours more sleep than him.”
He added: “He’s really grinding and making a big commitment to be out here for everyone. It’s awesome to see the patrons really appreciative of him and really enjoy having him out here.”
Woods entered the weekend at 1-over par, seven shots out of the lead, and declared that he was “right there” with a chance to “win the tournament.”
Then came his 10-over-par 82 in the third round Saturday, which dramatically derailed his chances.
By the time Woods put the finishing touches on his final round 77 Sunday, he was 23 shots out of the lead held by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Woods’ 16-over-par total eclipsed the 13-over he posted in 2022 as his worst finish in a year in which he made the cut.
The low point of Woods’ final round came on the fifth hole, where he lost a ball and took a triple-bogey, which dropped him into last place.
He did, however, produce a significant accomplishment by making the cut, breaking the tournament record with his 24th consecutive cut made.
“It’s always nice coming back here because I know the golf course; I know how to play it,” Woods said. “I can kind of simulate shots. This is a golf course I knew going into it. So, (now) I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst (where the U.S. Open will be played), Valhalla (the PGA) and Troon (British Open). That’s kind of the game plan.
“I heard there’s some changes at the next couple sites, so (I’ve) got to get up there early and check them out.”
Woods’ Masters week was only the second fill-field 72-hole tournament he’s completed in the past two years, adding to the 2023 Genesis Invitational.
What’s next?
“Just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing,” he said. “Hopefully, the practice sessions will keep getting longer.”
