Paramus, New Jersey …
Tiger Woods stated the obvious in declaring: “I’ve only made eight birdies and that is not going to get it done.”
This comment after he produced three third round birdies in a bogey-free 68 and move to three-under par in glorious conditions on the Ridgewood Country Club course in Parmaus.
And while Woods recorded just 28 putts and seven fewer than a day earlier, the current World No. 26 missed a number of opportunities that could have seen him finish his third round a lot higher up the leader board in the $US 9m than his share of 47th.
“I’m just not seeing my lines,” he said.
Tiger Woods in good spirits despite another frustrating day with the putter. (Photo @tourmiss)
“It’s just one of those things where I’m struggling seeing the lines. The pace has been okay, not great, but my feel is just a little bit off because — whether I’m seeing high lines or low lines, they are just not quite dialled-in yet.”
Woods, who teed-off at 7.50am (local time) in the company of England’s Ian Poulter and in the third group of the morning, holed an 11-footer for his first birdie at the par-3 sixth hole.
He then holed a superb curling 16-footer on the par-4 14th ahead of delighting already packed greenside grandstands in sinking a flagstick high putt of six foot on 18th.
But Woods missed a number of shorter chances of around six-feet for birdie on both the first and 12th holes and over the three rounds Woods has managed just eight birdies compared to 16 birdies he had accumulated through three rounds in his last event, the PGA Championship where he eventually finished runner-up.
“I haven’t made birdies — I’ve only had eight birdies and that’s not going to get it done,” Woods added.
“As soft as the course is, these guys are making a boatload of birdies, and I just haven’t made any.”
But there is no denying Woods’ determination heading to the final round and despite a PGA Tour projection that he will dop six places to 26th on the FedEx Cup standings.
“If I can get to double digits, would be nice,” he said.
“I think that would be a nice way to end it. Most of these guys are going to go really low, and hopefully I can shoot well, one that will get me into double digits tomorrow and give me some nice momentum going into next week.
”If I can get to 10-under that would be a nice way to end the week. It’s not going to win, but at least I can get some good momentum going into Boston and on a golf course that I’ve won on before.”
