No fairytale comeback but Tiger had ‘a blast’

Woods keeps things in perspective after final day heartbreak

Tiger Woods is expecting some words of comfort from one American sporting great to another.

The best male golfer of the modern era couldn’t quite write the last chapter of his fairytale comeback at the Open, just as the best female tennis player of the modern era couldn’t do it the weekend before.

Open final day heartbreak for Woods has followed Wimbledon final day heartache for Serena Williams.

“Serena and I are good friends,” said Woods, who finished tied sixth at Carnoustie, three behind playing partner and winner Francesco Molinari.

“I’m sure she’ll probably call me and talk to me about it because you’ve got to put things in perspective.

“She just had a baby and lost the Wimbledon finals. Just keep it in perspective, and the same thing with me.

“I know that it’s going to sting for a little bit here, but given where I was to where I’m at now, I’m blessed.

“Oh, it was a blast. I was saying earlier that I need to try and keep it in perspective because, the beginning of the year, if they’d have said you’re playing the Open championship, I would have said I’d be very lucky to do that.”

Having his two children see their dad come so close to major victory number 15 will also help the healing.

“I told them I tried,” he said. “And I said, ‘hopefully you’re proud of your Pops for trying as hard as I did.’

“It’s pretty emotional because they gave me some pretty significant hugs there and squeezed.

“I know that they know how much this championship means to me and how much it feels good to be back playing again.

“To me, it’s just so special to have them aware because I’ve won a lot of golf tournaments in my career, but they don’t remember any of them.

“So for them to understand what I was doing early in my career – the only thing they’ve seen is my struggles and the pain I was going through. Now they just want to go play soccer with me. It’s just such a great feeling.”

It all looked to be falling into place for Woods after he seized the lead on his own at the 10th, only for three dropped shots in the two holes after to take him tied ninth, less than half an hour later.

So much of his performance, though, was the Woods of old.

Asked if it all felt a bit familiar, he answered: “Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.”

He added: “It didn’t feel any different. It didn’t feel any different to be next to the lead and knowing what I needed to do. I’ve done it so many different ways. It didn’t feel any different.

“It felt great to be a part of the mix and build my way into the championship.

“Today was a day that I had a great opportunity.

“I’m a little ticked off at myself, for sure. I had a chance starting that back nine to do something, and I didn’t do it.”

I know that it’s going to sting for a little bit here, but given where I was to where I’m at now, I’m blessed. TIGER WOODS

Picture: Getty Images. Tiger Woods plays his second shot from the bunker on the eighth hole.