The 15-time major champion avoided a third-round 80 but he could start thinking about how much pain he wants to take on
Word was relayed before Tiger Woods had even completed his third round at this US PGA Championship. The 46-year-old would not be undertaking standard media duties, with his management doubtless fearing Woods would score in the 80s for only the third time in his major championship career. Woods was spared that ignominy – a birdie at the 15th and the brave saving of par at the last allowed him to post 79 in his 79th US PGA Championship round – but this was still a grim scene in Tulsa for golf’s returning icon.
As Webb Simpson was piecing together a 65, the scale of physical impairment to Woods on a cold morning was painfully obvious. So much so, in fact, that he refused to even offer a guarantee about returning for round four during brief questioning with a pool reporter. “Well, I’m sore,” said Woods. “I know that is for a fact. We’ll do some work and see how it goes.”
