• The Masters

Woods optimistic despite Masters meltdown

ESPN staff
April 7, 2012
Tiger Woods looks on in frustration © Getty Images
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Tiger Woods believes he can still work his way back from an eight-shot deficit after the second round of the Masters as the former world No. 1's swing continued to let him down at Augusta.

The four-time Masters winner kicked his club in disgust following a wayward tee-shot at the par-three 16th; a low point in a disappointing round of 75 which left him with a share of 40th place. However, Woods insists he has the potential to cut the lead held by Fred Couples and Jason Dufner over the weekend.

"I've been around the block for a number of years, and I understand how to be patient," Woods said. "I understand how to grind it out, and the tournament is not over.

"Last year I think on the final round I made up seven shots. I can do this. I've just got to be patient. Obviously, I've got to cut that deficit down tomorrow with a good, solid round, then get off to a quick start on the front nine Sunday and see where that puts me."

Regarding his meltdown at the 16th, Woods explained his frustration mounted after a string of errors from iron shots left him well off the pace.

"Well, it's a simple nine-iron. It's not that hard," he said. "Just a three-quarter nine-iron, it's a very easy shot.

"The four-iron (at the 15th) probably ticked me off more than the nine-iron (on 16) because I can hit that ball 50 yards left of that flag and still be fine. The only thing I can't do is put it to the right of the hole. And what do I do? I put it right of the hole. So that was very frustrating," said Woods.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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