Two of those lost strokes happened on the final hole: Woods finished with a double-bogey 7.
The week began with Woods playing with Lee Westood and Martin Kaymer, a pairing of 1-2-3 in the world rankings. And it began with Rory McIlroy shooting 65 to seize the lead.
Kaymer finished tied for 31st and was never much of a threat. Westwood shot 72 on Sunday to finish tied for 15th. McIlroy scored 74 on Sunday to finish tied for 10th. And Woods carded a 75 to tie for 20th.
So another up-and-down week for Woods, whose second-round 66 vaulted him into the picture, whose third-round 72 in blustery conditions kept him there. But whose first and fourth rounds were struggles.
Whenever we talk about Tiger's current struggles, though, it's always good to keep in mind that Woods is still producing finishes that for most other players on tour would be considered pretty good.
It's also good to keep in mind that what's happening now is not the result of some slow, long-running deterioration in Woods' game. Tiger won the last tournament he played before that fateful car crash in November 2009. He won six times on the PGA Tour in 2009, with three seconds and 14 Top 10s in 17 starts. He was Tiger Woods, in other woods.
In one way or another, directly or indirectly, what's happening now stems entirely from that Nov. 2009 car crash and the ensuing revelations and (presumably) the psychological (and perhaps physical) trauma that Woods experienced.
See also: 2011 Dubai Desert Classic scores
Woods (and McIlroy and Westwood) Finishes Weak at Dubai originally appeared on About.com Golf on Sunday, February 13th, 2011 at 08:29:18.
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