Putting problems continue for Woods

Putting problems continue for Woods

If looks or a walk could tell the story then, Tiger Woods’ said plenty on Friday.

On the 18th hole, Woods had a chance to make birdie after hitting his approach shot to just 6 feet. Instead, his ball hit a spike mark and it veered off line. In some ways it was a microcosm of Woods day. In others it was a symbol of his frustration in a round of 2-over 74 that has him nine shots off the lead heading into the weekend.

“Well certainly was not one of my better putting rounds,” said Woods, who took 32 putts. “I had a hard time with the grain.

“You’re not going to have a lot of fun when you’re nine back. I don’t know if a lot of people are very happy with that but I’m not.”

While Woods struggled on the green, he also admitted to being “a little stiff,” which is why he stretched a few times during the round.

He also hit a dropkick snap hook on the second tee that went just 122 yards — and produced a friendly chuckle from playing partners Graeme McDowell and Phil Mickelson.

Still, it all basically came down to putting for the former world No. 1.

“If I just putt normal, I shoot 3- or 4-under par today,” Woods said. “I feel great over the putts. I just can’t hit the putts hard enough. When the rain came in, it totally changed what I saw and felt. I’ve had a hard time making the adjustment.”