Roundup: Tiger Posts Worst Round Of His Career (85)

The strangest component to Tiger's career worst 85? He never gave up.

Woods appeared engaged the whole way. But without the ability to keep his driver in play, the pressure that places on anyone's game--even someone of his immense talent--is just too much. Furthermore, Tiger warmed up for round three with swing consultant Chris Como watching every shot, including short game work. No other player had their instructor so visibly involved in their third round Memorial Tournament preparation.

As Steve DiMeglio noted in USA Today, it wasn't for a lack of practice.

Tiger Woods was the last player hitting balls on the range Friday night, working up a blister on the index finger of his left hand as he sent seven bags of golf balls into the horizon.

The long session, however, was a cakewalk compared to what happened Saturday in the third round of The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

GolfDigest.com's Dave Shedloski said Woods "imploded in spectacular fashion" and that Woods appears "lost in a fog of confusion and receding confidence as he undergoes yet another set of swing changes."

Mark Canizzarro of the New York Post's lede:

It was combination dream come true and bloodletting.

Zac Blair was living the dream. Tiger Woods was doing the bleeding.

Bob Harig said the "slow steady progress" that Woods had been making came to a "sudden ugly halt Saturday and noted the comments of Woods playing partner Blair.

"He's just kind of working through some things, obviously it takes some time to work through some swing changes and stuff like that," said PGA Tour rookie Zac Blair, who listed Woods as part of his dream foursome and who met him for the first time Saturday -- and beat him by 15 shots.

"He's the best player to ever play, in my opinion. He'll get back to playing good."

Sean Martin with plenty of great stuff on Blair, a rookie who handled the spotlight beautifully Saturday.

Tip of the cap to Ashley Mayo for finding the PGA Tour's encapsulated version of all shots in the round and under 3 minutes.

Phil Mickelson also had a rough day, posting a 78. But the day before he did make the day of some kids at a nearby lemonade stand. Holly Zachariach reports.

Our Nationwide Live Studio recap of the day includes discussion of Woods and Mickelson.