Woods was no contender despite finish

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Tiger Woods doesn't win every tournament he enters, but it's rare when he is not even a factor.

That was the case last week at The Players Championship, beginning with an opening-round 75 that left Woods 8 shots off the lead. He didn't exactly vault up the leader board with a pair of 73s on Friday and Saturday. Yesterday, he made a big jump with a 5-under 67, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 16th.

Still, for Woods, who won the Players in 2001, it marked the sixth straight year that he has finished outside the top 10.

Earlier in the week, Woods complained that he was having a hard time getting used to the new Bermuda grass greens.

"The last two days, I've had 12 lip-outs, eight feet and out," he said. "I'm just thinking, if I make a few putts, I'd be all right. I knew I could shoot a round in the 60s here if I'd just make a few putts, and I did today."

- Joe Logan