Tiger Woods slides further adrift at Bridgestone

AKRON—Tiger Woods slipped further adrift at the Bridgestone Invitational on Saturday, but the 14-time major champion insisted there were encouraging signs in his game.

Woods struggled on the greens, three-putting the last hole en route to a two-over par 72 at Firestone, where he has won seven titles.

The former world number one had a 54-hole total of one-over 211, well off the pace in the elite World Golf Championships event.

However, Woods insisted after a round that included four bogeys and two birdies that his game was progressing.

“I started getting a feel in my hands,” Woods said. “I had to hit the ball the right number. Just about every iron shot was on my number, which was great.

“Still struggling a little bit with my setup and alignments off tee shots because I used to curve the ball a lot more.

“It’s kind of hard to trust when I’m out there in tournament play, and most of my shots are missing right on the edges of fairways, so I’ve just got to get more committed to that.

“And I’m hitting the ball straighter. It’s just a nice change, but it’s still a change.”

The event serves as a tuneup for Woods for next week’s PGA Championship at Atlanta, where he will resume his quest to break the record of 18 major championships won by Jack Nicklaus.

Woods is playing his first tournament since limping out of the Players Championship in May.

His last complete round came at the Masters, where he first suffered the left knee and Achilles injuries that sidelined him.

Not only would a good round on Sunday give Woods a boost going into the PGA Championship, it would see him improve his position in the US Tour’s FedEx Cup playoff standings.

“I’ve just got to put together a good round and let it build,” Woods said. “That’s something I haven’t done yet. I’ve only played three rounds. Unfortunately, I’m not there battling with a chance to win, but I can still post a good round tomorrow.”