This year, that wasn't the case. Woods' downfall Sunday came at the par-5 eighth hole. After making birdie on No. 7, he three-putted No. 8, usually a birdie hole, then squandered a good birdie chance at No. 9. He kept grinding with birdies at 13 and 15, then parred in for a 2-under 70. As it turned out, Woods needed a 64 to catch O'Meara.
Golf usually is.
But if you expected Woods to apologize or blow a gasket, think again. If anything, he's relieved. Sure he blew away the field last year by 12 strokes. But that was then. As much as he wanted to repeat, the pre-tournament buildup drove him to distraction.