08 April 2023 , 20:20
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Tiger Woods sank to the bottom of the leaderboard before play was abandoned on a wet and windy third day at the Masters.
LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm face playing 30 holes on Sunday as they battle to win the 87th Masters. But Woods is just in a battle for survival after limping his way through the brutal first nine holes of his third round in six-over par - and he now must decide if he is capable of playing 27 holes today. He is now 22 shots off the lead.
Woods, 47, had declared he “loved” the Masters after making the cut here for a record-equalling 23rd time - with help from two late bogeys from his friend Justin Thomas. The 15-time Major champion had drawn level with the mark held by Gary Player (1959-82) and Freddie Couples (1983-2007).
Woods had resumed his rain-delayed second round on the 12th tee at 8am and followed his opening 74 with a 73.
“I've always loved this golf course, and I love playing this event,” said the five-time winner. “Obviously I've missed a couple with some injuries, but I've always wanted to play here. I've loved it.”
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But in chilling temperatures later in the day, the world No.1001 might have changed his mind as he started his second round from the 10th tee with bogeys on 10 and 14.
He then made back-to-back doubles bogeys at 15 and 16 after finding water on both holes. It was the first time he had ever made a double bogey at the par-3 16th in his 25 appearances here.
Tiger Woods is playing in just his second tournament of the year (Getty Images)After nine holes of the third round, Woods was 54th and last of the players who made the cut on nine-over par.
The former world No.1, who suffered a serious car accident in February 2021, pulled out of the US PGA last year after his third round 79 and is playing only his third event since.
After years of injuries, Woods failed to predict he would compete at the Masters this year as he admitted: ““I don't know how many more I have in me.” And he revealed he was "sore" and in "constant" pain after his opening round.
Tiger Woods made the cut by a single shot on Saturday (Getty Images)
Fred Couples put in an impressive display to make the cut (Getty Images)Another Woods pal and practice partner Couples became the oldest man to ever make the cut here at the age of 63 - before also struggling in the third round.
The 1992 champion broke Bernhard Langer’s record from 2020 by 108 days after missing the cut in the last four years. "That's why I come here,” said the American. “Bernhard's got enough records. He'll probably make the cut next year!”
But Couples carded four bogeys and one birdie in the first nine holes of his third round to slip down to tied 49th place on four-over par.