Tiger Woods has admitted that it was "a fight all day" during his third round at the Quicken Loans National in Virginia.
The former world number one had been in contention after the second day of the tournament, but a round of 74 has left him nine shots behind the leaders ahead of the final round.
The 14-time Major winner is quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: "Basically it was a fight all day. It felt like that hook was coming in and fought through it the best I could. I was hitting the ball left on the range warming up. Couldn't quite get comfortable.
"I was waiting for the one moment, the one shot. I couldn't find it. I grinded my butt off to be even par through seven, just hang in there the best I possibly could and I finally hit it on eight right in the middle of the fairway.
"But at least it's the best I ever felt with the putter, I just couldn't get the ball on the green fast enough. I was very patient. I fought hard. I made some sweet up and downs and hit some really good shots. Thank God my short game is back. Now I just need to get the ball striking in there a little bit better and consistent."
Troy Merritt and Kevin Chappell top the leaderboard ahead of the fourth round.
Sian Cowper
