It was the 18th hole on the tough Copperhead course at The Valspar Championship at Innisbrook. Tiger Woods had played 71 holes and a birdy put would send him into a tie and a playoff but the ball rolled to around three feet short and Paul Casey finished one shot ahead of Woods.
Woods shot a 70 and finished nine under for the tournament in the final round. Patrick Reed, tied Woods for second and he played outstanding golf all day.
But it was Woods that the 150,000 or so golf fans who made their way to Palm Harbor to watch the four day tournament at Innisbrook were pleased. It was Woods best showing since 2013 and he was in contention to win The Valspar Championship until his next to last shot on the final hole on Sunday. That is all anyone could have asked for.
Tiger Woods is again back in the spotlight of the sports world. This time, he’s attempting to send a firm message that the injuries and the surgeries are behind him and he’s back to showing the form that made him a 14-time major champion and 79-time PGA Tour winner.
For Woods, who was coming off his fourth back surgery 10 months ago. He entered the final round one shot back of leader Corey Conners.
This was his fifth tournament (and fourth PGA Tour event) since his return. Woods will hit Interstate 4 and head East to Orlando where he will face the next stop on his comeback trail. The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
That is a tournament he has won four times and Woods now has his confidence back as well as his short game. Look for him to have another massive crowd in Orlando and this will be his last test before The Masters the first week in April.