Tiger Woods narrowly missed out on a fairytale victory in his return to competition after a final round birdie blitz alongside his 12-year-old son Charlie came up short at the PNC Championship tournament in Florida.
Woods admitted he was “worn out” after coming second with Charlie, his first event since playing in the same tournament 12 months ago.
The 45-year-old American has been undergoing extensive rehabilitation since sustaining serious leg and ankle injuries in a car accident in February.
The Woods' finished runner-up on 25-under par, two shots behind John Daly and his son John Daly II in Orlando.
“I’m just happy and thankful I’m able to do this," Woods said. "I still have my own leg, which was questionable for a while. I’m just really tired. I’m not used to this. This is my fifth round of golf this year. I’m a little worn out.
“The fact I had my son there, he’s an unbelievable player and partner. We had a great strategy going in. I thought we were going to be in there, our whole goal was never to make a bogey and we never made one.
"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."
Tiger's car crash - in pictures
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Tiger Woods pictured with his dog, Bugs. Instagram/ @tigerwoods -
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies inspect the vehicle of golfer Tiger Woods. Reuters -
A worker moves debris after a rollover accident involving golfer Tiger Woods. AP Photo -
The damaged car of Tiger Woods is towed away. Reuters -
The vehicle rests on its side after the rollover accident involving golfer Tiger Woods. AP Photo -
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alejandro Villanueva speaks during a press conference in front of Sheriff Department building in Lomita, California. AP Photo -
A vehicle rests on its side after a rollover accident involving golfer Tiger Woods. AP Photo -
People film and take photos following the car crash of Tiger Woods. Reuters -
The Riviera Country Club, where Tiger Woods participated in the Genesis Invitational a few days before his accident. AFP -
A sign for the Genesis Invitational golf tournament is seen on the door of the car that golf legend Tiger Woods was driving. AFP -
A Los Angeles County Sheriff deputy picks up a damaged sign that reads "Welcome to Rolling Hills Estates" from the scene of an accident. AFP -
A fan holding flowers stands in front of the main entrance of the Harbor UCLA Medical Centre in Torrance, California on February 23, 2021, where the US Golf star Tiger Woods is hospitalised. AFP
Woods, who returned from 2017 spinal fusion surgery to win his fifth Masters title, and 15th major crown, in 2019, has called this injury rehabilitation the hardest of many in his career.
He said this week that he had a "long way to go" to be able to return to top-flight golf, even on a part-time basis, and this week travelled around the course in a buggy.
And he strongly disagreed with fellow pro Matt Kuchar's assessment that apart from his inability to walk the course his game was ready for PGA Tour-level competition.
"No, no, no, no," Woods said. "I totally disagree. I'm not at that level. I can't compete against these guys right now, no.
"Even a couple of weeks ago we didn't really know whether or not I would be doing this, but here we are. And we just had the best time ever.
"I just wish I could have walked down the fairways with him (Charlie) and been side-by-side with him the entire time like we were last year. But I did what I could. This is my environment. This is what I've done my entire life."
