‘I’ve got my pop back,’ says Tiger Woods, but it’s back to drawing board

American toughs it out after hurting right wrist on a tree root to shot a 73 to tie for 17th place

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Tiger Woods flinches after hitting a tree root under the pine straw on the ninth hole during the final round of the Masters. "A bone kind of popped out and the joint kind of went out of place, but I put it back in," Woods said. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00am, 13 Apr 2015Updated: 1:02pm, 29 Nov 2016

Tiger Woods was proud of his share of 17th at the Masters in his comeback from a two-month layoff, but the 14-time major champion needs more time to work on his game.

Woods displayed a solid short game at Augusta National, where he has lifted four green jackets, but stumbled off the tee, managing to find only two of 14 fairways in Sunday’s final round.

“Not going to be for a while,” Woods said of his next start. “I have a little time off and go back to the drawing board, work on it again, and refine what I’m doing. I really like what I’m doing. I got my distance back and everything is good.”

Asked if he would play next month’s Players Championship, Woods said: “I’m going to practice. Practice some more.”

Considering where I was at Torrey and Phoenix, to make that complete swing change, I’m pretty proud of what I’ve done

Tiger Woods

That could mean Woods might not return until the Memorial, his usual tune-up for the US Open, which in June will be staged at Chambers Bay.

“It’s going to take some time,” Woods said. “I was pleased with the way I was able to hit the ball this week. I’ve got my pop back. And then on top that have I got my short game back, which was nice.”