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BOB HARIGNo major currently belongs to Tiger, who says a little improved putting is all he needs.
OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. - For the first time in four years, Tiger Woods does not hold one of the current major-championship trophies.
A fact that became obvious Saturday was only made official Sunday.
Woods, 27, didn't come close to defending his U.S. Open title at Olympia Fields Country Club, nearly equaling his worst finish in a major championship. His final-round 72 left him at 283, 3-over par and 12 strokes behind winner Jim Furyk.
Woods has failed to win the past four major championships. That's his longest streak since he went 10 majors without a victory between his first and second major titles - the 1997 Masters and the 1999 PGA Championship.
Does that mean he'll be more determined to win next month's British Open at Royal St. George's in England?
"I don't see how that's possible," Woods said. "That's my ultimate goal, to win these championships. These are the biggest championships.
"All you can do is give it your best. I gave it my best this week, I was just close to putting it together but I didn't put it together."
So Woods is at eight major titles and holding. A 66 Friday after a first-round 70 put Woods three shots behind the leaders heading into the weekend. He was never that close again.
His biggest problem appeared to be putting. In three of the four rounds, Woods needed more than 30 putts, including 32 Sunday. He had three birdies on the weekend.
"It was frustrating in general this week because I never got anything going," said Woods, who finished tied for 20th, his worst finish in the Open as a pro. "I was so close to putting it together. All I needed was a little momentum to get things going.
"It's not like I'm playing and can't hit a shot. I'm hitting good shots. ... It's a matter of making some putts."
Woods said he is not alarmed, that this is part of golf. He stands by the fact that he has won three times in eight PGA Tour starts this year.
But he has not won since the Bay Hill Invitational in March, and his finish at the Open was the worst this year on tour. And it is interesting to note that six players - Furyk, Mike Weir, David Toms, Ernie Els, Jonathan Byrd and Scott Verplank - finished ahead of Woods at the Masters and the U.S. Open.
"I wouldn't worry too much about Tiger Woods not winning a major for a year," said Tom Watson, who won eight major titles in his career.
"How many years did Jack Nicklaus go without winning a major?"
In his prime, Nicklaus went 12 majors without winning one, from the 1967 U.S. Open until the 1970 British Open.
Woods is scheduled to play in this week's Buick Classic in Westchester, N.Y. He would not say if he will return to the Chicago area for the Western Open in two weeks.
Then it will be on to the British Open for another try.