Broken Tiger Woods slumps to all-time low but clings to No 1 ranking

Top-ranked defending champion Woods fired a closing seven-over par 77 to finish the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at 18-over par 298 on a course where he has dominated in past years, winning seven times.

But he just clung to his No 1 ranking after rival Phil Mickelson had a horror fourth round himself at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

Needing to finish fourth or better to move past Woods, left-hander Mickelson fired an eight-over round of 78 to drop from 10th to 46th.
  
"It has been a long year," Woods said, choking up as he spoke to reporters.

That is as close as Woods has ever come to referring to his off-course problems as he struggles to cope mentally with the reported imminent divorce from wife Elin in the fallout from revelations of his multiple affairs.

Woods was set to finish near the bottom of the 80-man field, shooting over par in every round of an event for the first time since 2003.

With the year's last major title at stake at next week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits inh Wisconsin,
Woods looks unlikely to be a contender for a 15th career major triumph as he chases Jack Nicklaus's all-time record of 18.

"I definitely don't want to start 18-over next week, so it's nice the tournament is over and we can focus on next week," Woods said.

Woods will surrender his world number one ranking if second-ranked US compatriot Phil Mickelson finishes solo fourth or better at the WGC event.

"Shooting 18-over is not fun. I don't see how it can be fun, especially since my handicap is supposed to be zero," Woods said.

"I've got to be ready come Thursday. That's all that matters. I need to hit the ball better, chip better, putt better, score better."

Woods said he did not know if he might take another extended break after next week.

He missed five months before beginning his 2010 season at the Masters last April.

Woods also said that while he right now did not deserve to be picked for the American team for October's Ryder Cup showdown against Europe, there was plenty of time to turn his game around before the matches.

"I wouldn't help the team if I'm playing like this," Woods said. "I think I can turn it around, but we've got a lot of time between now and then, which is good."

Woods' performance was all the more shocking because he appeared to have his form on track at his previous two starts, including last month's British Open at St Andrews, and had shared fourth at the US Open and Masters.

Asked if he was surprised by his woeful form at the WGC event, Woods replied, "No, it doesn't surprise me at all.
"I could probably play 18 (more holes on Sunday) and still watch the guys finish."