Tiger Woods Admits To Playing With 'Stiffness,' Blames Nobody For Hero World Challenge Loss

Tiger Woods admitted that he has been playing with "stiffness" on his back but blamed nobody on recent Hero World Challenge loss.

Many believe that the Golf GOAT isn’t the same player as he used to after dealing with a series of major and minor injuries. However, Woods has remained confident in his game ahead of the Hero World Challenge.

In an exclusive interview with DNA India prior to the said tournament, Woods admitted that he has been “figuring out” how to withstand the stiffness on his back. The 15-time major champion also stated that he has done quite a “good job” despite limiting himself in practice sessions.

"I feel much stiff now, I don't feel the pain. But I am trying to figure out how to play around the stiffness,'' Woods admitted.

"Now I am restricted from practicing a lot like a used to but I believe I have done a good job,'' Woods added.

Prior to his statement regarding the stiffness on his back, Woods already revealed that he has learned to “use his mind” more than his physical attributes now that his body has gone through some drastic changes.

“I try to get the most out of the sessions I have don’t have the ability to put in the work so I use my mind. Practice is shorter but more intense,” Woods revealed.

Apparently, Woods is still working on regaining his rhythm as the Golf superstar loses the final-round lead at Hero World Challenge. Woods has held the lead during the final round but his three-under 69 was not enough to earn him the win. Woods finished in fourth place at 14 under for the tournament, four strokes behind winner Henrik Stenson’s 18-under total.

The legend has managed to put himself within striking distance of his second consecutive win with rounds of 66 and 67 on Thursday and Friday, respectively. However, he couldn't quite pull off the victory Saturday but he did manage a round that included four birdies and one bogey.

Speaking after the loss, Woods blamed nobody but himself as he reflected on the things he could done differently, Golf Digest reported.

"It was a good, solid week," Woods said. "I wish I could have hit the ball a little bit closer. I had a few 9-irons on down that I normally would hit in there a little bit closer than I did this week.

"If I would have given myself a few more looks, this might have been a different story. But I just didn't."