Woods slumps to 82, worst round as a professional

Tiger Woods slumped to his worst round as a professional when he carded an 11-over-par 82 in the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday. The 14-times major winner, struggling in his return to competitive golf after a long layoff due to a back injury, had six bogeys, two double bogeys, a triple bogey and two birdies in the round. Woods, whose previous worst score was an 81 in foul weather in the third round of the 2002 British Open, retained a sense of humor despite his humbling showing. ”I’m just doing this so I don’t get fined,” he joked to reporters, echoing media-shy Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, who is playing in the Super Bowl in nearby Glendale on Sunday.

It’s golf, we all have days like this. Unfortunately, mine was in a public forum, in a public setting.

Tiger told reporters

Friday’s round plunged Woods into last place in the field midway through the round at 13-over 155, 21 shots off the pace. He struggled in all phases of his game in rainy conditions at TPC Scottsdale. The former world number one sprayed drives, found water, flew approach shots over greens, flubbed chips and missed short putts in only his second event in five months after back pain for much of last year. The embarrassing performance came after intense work with new swing coach Chris Como and a tie for last place last month in an event hosted by Woods at his previous home course of Isleworth outside Orlando. Woods struggled mightily with his chipping game there, and it is still sorely lacking.

Great chippers normally stay great chippers for a long period of time, so I find that the big question mark. This is an official Tiger Woods slump.

Analyst Frank Nobilo, a former world class player, on Golf Channel

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