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Tiger Woods shoots first bogey-free round since 2013 at Greenbrier Classic

All smiles: Tiger Woods during his final round at the Greenbrier Classic
Image: All smiles: Tiger Woods during his final round at the Greenbrier Classic

Tiger Woods will head to the 144th Open in good spirits after firing his first bogey-free round for almost two years on the final day of the Greenbrier Classic.

The former world No 1 had failed to keep a bogey off his card in his previous 55 competitive rounds, but he produced three birdies in a solid closing 67 in West Virginia that lifted him to seven under for the tournament.

It was not the explosive round Woods was looking for to have any hope of contending, but he birdied four, six and 12 and was delighted to sign a blemish-free card despite finishing outside the top 30 - six shots behind the leaders.

"That is the best I have hit in a very long time," said Woods, who has plummeted to 220th in the world rankings. "I had full control over all of my clubs.

Tiger Woods - third round of The Memorial Tournament
Image: Woods felt he turned a corner during The Memorial despite posting a third-round 85

"I hit it great. I had shapes both ways right and left drive. I had it all on call today. If I had just made a couple of putts this week, it could have been completely different."

Woods also insisted he felt more comfortable with his game during The Memorial last month, despite shooting his career-worst round of 85 on day three after making the cut with nothing to spare.

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Highlights from day four of the Greenbrier Classic.

Memorial turning point

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"I made a big giant step at The Memorial," Woods added. "Even though I shot those numbers, the pattern was set. I just had to refine it. This week, I definitely did that.

"It is a completely different motion. It is not a short term fix. People are looking for the one quick fix and very next day go out and play great golf. It doesn't work that way."

Tiger Woods moved half way towards the 'Tiger Slam' with an emphatic eight-shot win in 2000.
Image: Tiger will now start preparing for The 144th Open at St Andrews, where he cruised to an eight shot win in 2000 and also lifted the Claret Jug in 2005

Woods is also determined to steer clear of the criticism of his game, particularly on social media, adding: "I don't go on line. I stay away from that. Social media has certainly changed the world the way we know it. I understand everyone has an opinion. It has changed the landscape for all athletes.

"I remember talking to (Wayne) Gretzky one time. He grew up in an era when he first played hockey and was winning the Cups, there was no 24-hour news cycle. And now here we are, with instant news with the click of a button. That has changed the landscape again."

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