Love wins, Tiger’s season ends at Wyndham
An 11th hole triple-bogey sadly brought down the curtain on Woods’ PGA Tour season at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.
A sell-out crowd, and plenty dressed in Woods’ traditional red ‘power’ last day colour, failed to ignite Woods towards victory or lone second place he needed to qualify for this week’s FedExCup Play-Off Series in New Jersey.
Woods did birdie four of his closing six holes to eventually walk off with a level par round of 70 for a share of 11th place at 13-under par.
USA Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III, at 51 years, became the third oldest winner on the PGA Tour shooting a final day 64 to win a third Wyndham title by a shot at 17-under par.
Woods, who had his lower back heavily strapped but unnoticeable under his red shirt, failed to get out of first gear on the last day completing the front nine in level par, including watching playing partner, Scott Brown ace the par three, third hole on the Sedgefield course.
Davis Love III (Credit: Khalid Redza)
He had birdied nine but took a seven at the par four, 11th hole when he flew the green with his third but left a ‘bread-and-butter’ chip shot short.
Woods, who was competing in the US$5.4m event for a first time, then bogeyed 12 but managed to claw back shots with birdies at 13, 14, 15 and the last.
“It just wasn’t my day, today. I thought I could post a number but when the wind picked up on the back nine it didn’t happen,” he said.
“The muffed chip on 11 didn’t help but then I made a good putt into the middle of the hole for a seven (smiling).”
“So I had a chance to get it going but it didn’t happen. I feel as though I would be ready to play these next few weeks, but I’m not.”
It is the second year in succession Woods, as a former two-time FedEx Cup winner, has not qualified for the Play-Offs.
Woods will next compete, and joining World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, in the October 14th starting Frys.com Open in the Napa Valley and the first event of the Tour’s 2015/16 schedule.
Woods also is considering an event in Mexico also in October and on the Latino American Tour.
Cameron Smith again showed what a talent he is after closing the tournament with a 5-under 65 to finish in equal 18th place and just six strokes off the pace.
Cameron Percy failed to fire in the final round with a 4-over 74 dropping him 33 places to equal 38th. Greg Chalmers (T51) and Adam Scott (T63) were the only other Aussies to make it through to the weekend.
