US PGA Championship 2014: Tiger Woods fails to make cut after suffering with back condition

Tiger Woods

On a day when the withdrawal count hit five it was a triumph of sorts that Tiger Woods took his leave of the PGA Championship via the cut, only the fourth he has missed in majors as a pro and his fifth in total.

Woods was clearly suffering from the back condition that flared up last week in Akron. His discomfort became more pronounced as the shots leaked away over his outward nine, which he completed in four over par.

There was a rally of sorts on the back nine with birdies at the 15th and the last, but little to suggest it was ever worth the trouble of competing in the first place.

Woods finished with a second consecutive 74 to close on six over par, the same total as John Daly, 15 behind half-way leader Rory McIlory and five the wrong side of safety.

“I need to get stronger back to where I used to be. It’s not quite there yet. You can’t burn the candle at both ends. My body was telling me on the range that it probably wasn’t a good idea.”

Jason Day shot the low round of the day, 65, to move within a stroke of McIlroy and a share of second with Jim Furyk on eight under par. Rickie Fowler, en course for a clean sweep of major top fives this season if not victory, finished one further back with a 66.

Phil Mickelson lasered a closing eagle for a round of 68 that took him to within three of the lead, one better than Lee Westwood, who required a birdie at the last for a round of 72.

Colin Montgomerie ensured he would be around for the weekend with a birdie at the 18th to leave him level for the tournament.