Tiger Woods has left Farmers Insurance Open; leaders still playing

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Tiger Woods finished off his first tournament of the season, the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, with a three-over-par 75 on Sunday. That came on top of a 74 on Saturday, and those are only Woods’ second and third rounds over par in the 47 he has played in PGA Tour events at Torrey Pines. The good news? He was gone before the rain began.

Woods talked about his swing being a work in progress. It is under construction with new coach Sean Foley. Woods said his new swing has a different release point.

‘The release that you want to have for the good shots and full swings are the same and even the putting stroke,’ Woods said. ‘The putting stroke is the smallest swing there is. Everything should be the same throughout the golf bag. And that’s where I was with all my other teachers and that’s what I’m trying to do here.’

And Woods said he is committed to the changes being made, despite a shaky weekend of golf.

‘How else are you going to get better?’ he said. You’ve got to do it. It takes reps and it takes reps under competition. You can’t be afraid to go ahead and try it.’

Woods wouldn’t commit to when he would play next, though it is expected to be in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates on Feb. 10-13. When asked if his schedule was set yet, Woods said, ‘Yeah, I’m definitely playing in the future, no doubt.’

-- Diane Pucin in La Jolla