Tiger Woods ‘proud’ of comeback

• Tiger Woods ‘proud’ of T17 finish at the Masters
• The 39-year-old hadn’t played for ten weeks
• No sign of much scrutinised short game woes

Tiger Woods was ‘proud’ with his return to major championship action as golf fans across the globe were treated to glimpses of the former world No.1 back to his best at the Masters.

The 39-year-old hadn’t played for ten weeks in the build up to the tournament following his withdrawal from the Farmers Insurance Open in February – which came a week after a career-worst round of 82 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open – but returned with a T17 finish after a one-over par final round of 73.

“Well, considering where I was at Torrey and Phoenix, to make the complete swing change and rectify all the faults and come here to a major championship and contend, I’m proud of that part of it,” Tiger Woods said.

“I just wish I could have made a few more timely putts and moved up that board.”

Tiger Woods began Sunday in a tie for fifth and teed off in the third last group with world No.1 Rory McIlroy.

Unfortunately though, both were too many shots behind runaway leader Jordan Spieth – ten at the start of round four – and after being two-over through seven, Tiger Woods’ round never kicked into gear as he finished seven shots behind his playing partner.

And after various injury troubles throughout the past few years, the 14-time major champion offered a scare to fans after hitting a tree root after getting into trouble off the tee at the ninth.

“A bone kind of popped out and the joint kind of went out of place, but I put it back in,” he said.

Woods shook his wrist after his tee shot at the tenth but didn’t seem too troubled for the remainder of the back nine, recording an eagle on the 13th and birdie on the 15th^.

The four-time Masters champion hadn’t played four rounds at an official tournament since the Open nine months ago, so his performance will undoubtedly be seen as progress.

His short game, which had come under particular scrutiny in his time away from the game, was arguably his greatest strength over the duration of the tournament, with his hitting off the tee at times pretty ropey, as shown by this at the 13th on Friday.

So, what next for Tiger Woods? Well, if you thought he’d be back in action again soon, think again.

“Not going to be for a while. I’ll have a little time off, go back to the drawing board, work on it again and refine what I’m doing. I really like what I’m doing. I’ve got my distance back and everything is good.”

Tiger Woods at the Masters :: Your thoughts

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