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Woods came close but not close enough in NEC Invitational
Akron, Aug 25: Woods, who won the last three NEC Invitationals at Firestone, managed to get within two strokes of Clarke after eight holes, but an inward 38 derailed his chances.
Akron, Aug 25: Woods, who won the last three NEC Invitationals at Firestone, managed to get within two strokes of Clarke after eight holes, but an inward 38 derailed his chances.
He shot 70-274 and came in joint fourth with Chris Riley, who had a 71. "I was trying to get within one shot with three to go, but instead I went the other way," Woods said. "I played well all day, but I didn't get the putts to go in."
Clarke's 100 putts ranked third for the week but he led the field in putts per green in regulation. His 67 on the scorched South Course was the lowest round among players in the last 25 pairings and the fourth lowest of the day.
"Anytime Darren gets near the lead, he's very good," Love said. "He got off on a hot run and just iced it."
After a 15-foot eagle at the second and a birdie at the fourth, from eight feet, Clarke led by five strokes. But he dropped a shot at the fifth with a blown three-footer while Woods birdied seven and eight to cut the difference to two strokes.
Clarke, however, made three birdies in five holes starting at the 11th, capped by a 40-footer from the fringe at 13, and Woods shot himself out of contention with bogeys at 13 and 14.
Bureau Report
He shot 70-274 and came in joint fourth with Chris Riley, who had a 71. "I was trying to get within one shot with three to go, but instead I went the other way," Woods said. "I played well all day, but I didn't get the putts to go in."
Clarke's 100 putts ranked third for the week but he led the field in putts per green in regulation. His 67 on the scorched South Course was the lowest round among players in the last 25 pairings and the fourth lowest of the day.
"Anytime Darren gets near the lead, he's very good," Love said. "He got off on a hot run and just iced it."
After a 15-foot eagle at the second and a birdie at the fourth, from eight feet, Clarke led by five strokes. But he dropped a shot at the fifth with a blown three-footer while Woods birdied seven and eight to cut the difference to two strokes.
Clarke, however, made three birdies in five holes starting at the 11th, capped by a 40-footer from the fringe at 13, and Woods shot himself out of contention with bogeys at 13 and 14.
Bureau Report