Tiger Woods Struggles at PGA; Has Former No. 1 Gone from Great to Good?

Jim Collins wrote the blockbuster book "Good to Great." Tiger Woods seems to be writing another book: Great to Good.

The world's former No. 1 golfer keeps talking like he's ready to make another charge at being the world's best -- but -- he -- just -- can't -- seem -- to -- get -- there.

Playing in the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga., Woods displayed early some of his old magic, with a birdie on No. 10, No. 12, and No. 14, but then the flailing that has plagued his play the past two years returned, resulting in disappointment that was almost hard to watch.

Woods made three double bogeys near the end of his opening round at the PGA Championship, on his way to a 77 -- or 7-over-par. He began the day a 3-under-par after five holes, then ended up 7-over-par after the round.

It was his worst round ever at the PGA.

"I'm not down," said Woods. "I'm really angry right now. There's a lot of words I could use beyond that."

Woods has never missed a cut in the 13 previous PGA championships he's played in. But it will take a miraculous effort to avoid that this time, as Woods languishes after the first round near the bottom of the scoreboard, while Steve Stricker leads the tournament at 7-under-par after an opening round 63.

The 35-year-old Woods had a long run as the world's No. 1-ranked golfer but he's since slipped after a nasty, public divorce marked by infidelity charges and a nagging knee and Achilles tendon injuries to No. 30 in the world. He hasn't won a tournament in almost two years and he recently fired long-time caddie Steve Williams.

Woods was also out of action this year for 12 weeks due to his knee and achilles injuries.

Before the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, where Woods made his return to the PGA Tour, U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy said "given the length of layoff ... it would be an unbelievable effort if (Woods) was to come back and compete."

Nevertheless, Woods pledged before the Bridgestone Invitational he was "good to go" and expected "to win." In the end, he tied for 37th place, a result he said he was "absolutely encouraged" by.

Woods made more bad news this week when longtime sponsor TAG-Heuer ended their relationship. He first signed with the watchmaker in 2002, in an era when Woods led the sports world in endorsement deals. He has also been dropped in the past 18 months by the likes of Gatorade, AT&T and the financial firm Accenture.