Tiger happy with his game

– Tiger Woods’ expectations have “gone up” after his 12th place at the Honda Classic in Florida on Sunday.

Though a double-bogey at the 15th ended any outside chance of victory at PGA National, Woods took confidence from his performance in just his third official start since undergoing a spinal fusion last April.

An apparently healthy Woods seems increasingly likely to head to April’s Masters, the first Major of 2018, as a contender, rather than just one of the players invited back as a former champion.

“I feel like each time out I’ve got better and I’ve got more of a feel for tournament golf,” he said.

“I feel very happy the way I played the entire week.”

Woods shot 70 on Sunday to finish at level-par 280, eight strokes behind winner Justin Thomas.

Four weeks ago, Woods was equal 23rd in his official comeback at Torrey Pines, while he missed the cut last week at Riviera, where one bad round of 76 cost him.

It is his only score of more than 72 in 10 rounds this year.

South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli (above) finished one shot ahead of Woods. The 27-year-old compiled rounds of 71, 72, 67 and 69 to finish on one-under for the week and in 11th place on his own.

Finishing ahead of Woods is significant as the 14-time Major winner held top spot in the world rankings for a total of 683 weeks while the South African begins just his fourth week of his career ranked inside the top-50 at No 44.

Rory Sabbatini was the next best SA player in a tie for 17th on two-over, with Louis Oosthuizen in a share of 24th on three-over. – Reuters, ANA