Tiger Woods admits to ‘stupid mistakes’ at Genesis Invitational, but says his game is ‘fine’

There will come a time, we suppose, when Tiger Woods will hobble out. For now, he limps toward vast galleries with surprised expressions.

That he finished the Genesis Invitational a mile behind top contenders Jon Rahm and Max Homa is not remotely the point. For now, legitimate astonishment can be drawn from the fact that he’s done, which is no small feat for a 47-year-old who can barely walk.

His struggles meeting the 72-hole obligations were evident in his final round of 73. As with the previous two days, the strides through that shredded right leg got tricky around the turn, but there’s still enough magic left. in Woods’ swing for the 15-time major champion to inspire a sense of curiosity about what he could accomplish if his aching body allows it.

Nothing overly grand, you’d have to predict if you lean sensibly. But the quality of his 67 in the third round and the occasional highlights of his final loop (three birdies offset by five bogeys on a day when his chipping and approach play were off the charts) proved he can still confound. in different ways.

If nothing else, Woods’ first Tour-level event since The Open in July indicated he could still deliver some fun at the Masters in April, having spent a week matching and occasionally out-driving younger beasts like Rory McIlroy. .

“My game is fine,” Woods. It’s rusty, I made a few stupid mistakes here and there, but I hit it like I was playing home.

‘I don’t know (when he will play next time). My goal every year is the four majors. I did three of the four last year and hopefully I can do all four this year. That will be my goal because of the limitations I have.’ As for the finale of this tournament at Riviera, Rahm and Homa, the two best golfers on the planet, were tied at 16-under-par over 11 holes at press time. McIlroy, who struggled with a cold putter, finished outside the top 20 at 4-under after a closing 71.