No fairy-tale win, but Woods 'happy' to be back

ORLANDO • Tiger Woods narrowly missed out on a fairy-tale victory in his return to competitive golf after a final-round birdie blitz came up short at the PNC Championship family tournament in Florida.

The 15-time Major champion, playing in his first event since suffering career-threatening injuries in a car crash 10 months ago, reeled off 11 consecutive birdies alongside his 12-year-old son Charlie to card a 15-under 57 to finish on 25 under in the two-round event at the Ritz Carlton Golf Course.

However, the Woods duo were unable to close with a 12th birdie on the par-five 18th hole, settling for par and missing the chance to put the pressure on two-time Major champion John Daly, playing with his son John Daly II.

The Daly duo eventually closed with a birdie to match the Woods' second-round 57 and finish on 27 under for a two-shot victory on Sunday.

A weary Woods, who almost needed to have his shattered right leg amputated after his car crash in Los Angeles in February, revealed afterwards he was simply grateful to be playing again.

"I'm just happy and thankful that I'm able to do this," said the American, who turns 46 at the end of the month. "I still have my own leg, which was questionable for a while, and it's functioning. I'm just really tired - I'm not used to this.

"I think this might be only my fourth or fifth round of golf this year. I'm a little worn out. It was nice to have a cart."

Woods said he and his son had set a pre-tournament target of playing two bogey-free rounds which they had achieved.

"Our whole goal for the two days was don't make any bogeys - last year, we made two," he added. "We felt we'd have to birdie every hole on the back nine to have a chance. It got interesting and a little tight towards the end, which was fun."

Woods, who returned from 2017 spinal fusion surgery to win his fifth Masters title, and 15th Major in 2019, has called this injury rehabilitation the hardest of many in his career.

He said last week that he had a "long way to go" to be able to return to PGA Tour-level golf, even on a part-time basis.

Back in the clubhouse, he disagreed with an assessment by fellow pro Matt Kuchar, last year's SMBC Singapore Open champion, that apart from his inability to walk the course, his game was ready for PGA tournaments. "No, no, no, no," Woods said. "I totally disagree. I'm not at that level. I can't compete against these guys."

For the former world No. 1, this was merely a welcome chance to play with Charlie for the second year in a row.

"Even a couple of weeks ago, we didn't really know whether or not I would be doing this, but here we are," Woods said. "And we just had the best time ever.

"I just wish I could have walked down the fairways with him and been side-by-side with him... This is my environment. This is what I've done my entire life."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE