Ailing Tiger struggles, shoots 79 and withdraws

TULSA, Okla. — Tiger Woods produced a couple of firsts Saturday, neither cause for a fist pump. He posted his highest score ever in the PGA Championship, and later withdrew from a major for the first time in his pro career.

Hours after Woods limped his way to a 9-over 79 in the third round at Southern Hills, he informed the PGA of America of his withdrawal.

Anyone who watched the staggered steps from a right leg that was battered 15 months ago in a car crash should not have been surprised. Woods declined media interviews after his round, speaking only to a pool reporter.

He was asked if days like this — high pain, high score — made him question the process it takes to play and if he would tee it up on Sunday.

“Well, I’m sore. I know that is for a fact,” he said. “We’ll do some work and see how it goes.”

The PGA of America announced his withdrawal after the third round ended. Woods was 21 shots behind Mito Pereira of Chile, who takes a three-shot lead into the final round.

For Woods, attention now turns to next month at the U.S. Open. When he made the cut at the Masters in his first time walking and competing against the best since the February 2021 car crash in Los Angeles, he said he would be at the British Open at St. Andrews in July.

He did not mention the PGA Championship or U.S. Open, wanting to assess his recovery. But he made a trip to Southern Hills in the weeks ahead of the PGA and said he felt better than he did at the Masters.

That lasted only so long.

Even as he grimaced at times, Woods produced his most compelling golf on Friday afternoon with he rallied to make the cut with a series of clutch putts and shortgame wizardry.

Woods has played through pain during his career, more memorably the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines that he won with a double stress fracture in his left leg and shredded ligaments in his left knee that required season-ending surgery when it was over.

But on Saturday, walking gingerly on a course soaked by a half-inch of rain in the early morning, he had reason to wonder if making the cut was worth it.

“I didn’t do anything right,” Woods said after making a 5-foot par putt on the 18th to break 80. “I didn’t hit many good shots.”