If Roger Federer has proved that he can rack up more Grand Slam victories, Tiger Woods’ return in Golf in 2018 has proved that he can win majors again.

 

 

                              Woods recorded his best finish in a full-field PGA Tour event since August 2015

 

 

Tiger Woods was quoted saying, “In that sport (Federer’s) very old, but in our sport, I’m only 42, that’s not that old,” Woods said the day of Federer’s 20th major and Woods’ final round 72 at Torrey Pines.  “Davis won when he was in his 50s, Vijay did well all throughout his 40s, so it’s very possible out here for us.”

 

Woods recorded his best finish in a full-field PGA Tour event since August 2015 at the Farmers Insurance Open.

 

 

What a comeback!

 

The 14-time major winner carded four birdies and four bogeys in a closing 72 for a three under par total at Torrey Pines, leaving him inside the top 30 – his best finish since tying for 10th at the Wyndham Championship three years ago.

 

 

In his traditional Sunday red-and-black ensemble and in front of the typical massive gallery walking in step, Woods wrapped up his first PGA Tour tournament in a year with an even-par 72 at windswept Torrey Pines to finish at 3 under in the Farmers Insurance Open and in a tie for the 23^rd.

 

 

The former world No 1 had only completed four competitive rounds in the invitational Hero World Challenge – an event with no cut – since undergoing back surgery three times.

 

 

It was an erratic 72 holes peppered with some vintage magic, as Woods hit just 17 of 56 fairways and 42 of 72 greens in regulation but scrambled superbly in his rounds of 72-71-70-72.

 

 

“Very pleased,” Woods said. “I fought hard for these scores. These weren't yawners down the middle, on the green, two putt and one hand all your second putts in the hole. I had to fight for every score on every hole and sometimes those are more pleasing than the boring rounds. It showed that I had heart. I fought my tail off and it was good stuff.”

 

 

When a fan distracted Tiger

 

 

 

Starting on the back nine, Woods was denied a first birdie of the day on the 13th when a spectator yelled during his backswing, visibly distracting the American, who missed the subsequent putt.

 

 

However, Woods converted from 12 feet at the next and added further gains at the 16th and 18th – although wayward drives on the 15th and 17th led to dropped shots.

 

Woods hit fewer than a third of fairways over the week and after briefly reaching five under for the week with a birdie on the second, leaked tee shots to the right on the fifth and seventh saw him bogey both holes.