Miami, March 29: Tiger Woods felt he played a lot better than his score reflected after shooting a one-over-par 71 in the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando on Saturday.
The world number one, continuing his comeback from reconstructive knee surgery, carded three birdies and four bogeys to end a difficult day at the Bay Hill Club five strokes behind leader Sean O`Hair.
"The course was playing so hard today," five-times champion Woods told reporters after posting a two-under total of 208 in swirling winds to lie second.
"I had to be so patient. No one is tearing this place apart."
"The wind is so blustery, it`s hard to get your distance correct and then once you get on the green the wind is blowing the ball so you`ve got to allow for wind on putts from five, six feet."
"I thought I played well all day."
Holder Woods began the round five strokes off the pace but failed to trim the deficit after fellow American O`Hair returned a matching 71.
Bay Hill`s thick rough awaited any errant shot but the 14-times major winner closed to within four of the lead after making two consecutive birdies from the par-five 12th.
However, his momentum stalled with two bogeys over the last three holes.
Woods stumbled at the par-four 16th after failing to reach the green in three and was unfortunate to lose his ball at the last after driving into tangly rough on the right.
He powered a wedge into the bank of grass above the lake guarding the right of the green but could not locate his ball after the permitted five-minute search.
After taking a penalty drop Woods struck his fourth shot from the fairway to 25 feet and nervelessly holed the putt to limit the damage.
"Unfortunately I finished over-par for the day but I played better than that," he said.
Asked whether he was capable of overhauling his deficit in Sunday`s final round on one of the PGA Tour`s toughest courses, Woods replied: "We`ll see what happens."
"Whether we`re able to shoot low scores or not, we`re going to have to play like we have been the last three days."
Woods paid tribute to O`Hair, a double winner on the PGA Tour.
"It`s great playing," the 33-year-old said. "You have to hit quality shots, you`ve got to make some putts, you`ve got to time the wind correctly and you`ve got to stay patient."
"I`m sure he`s done that all week."
Bureau Report
