Woods misses father and too many putts

AUGUSTA, Georgia, Apr 10 (Reuters) When Tiger Woods won the first of his four U.S. Masters titles in 1997, he gave credit to his father for providing him with a valuable putting tip.

With his dad back home in California battling cancer and too fragile to travel, Woods made his first visit to the Augusta National Golf Club this week without the support and guidance of his mentor.

No doubt, the world number one could have benefited from a few more putting tips from his father Earl yesterday.

Ideally positioned just two shots behind leader Phil Mickelson heading into Sunday's final round, Woods saw his bid for a fifth green jacket undone by an unruly putter and a charge left too late.

As Woods winced over each miss, Mickelson was all smiles thanks to a near flawless effort that ended in a two-shot victory over South Africa's Tim Clark and a second green jacket to follow his maiden major win here in 2004.

While Woods managed birdies on three of his final four holes, including a 20-footer on the last, the rally came too late to offset the too many blown opportunities.

''I'm sure he (Earl) was watching and a little mad at me for the way I putted today,'' Woods told reporters. ''I'm sure he knew what I did wrong.

''I putted atrociously. I think I'm probably going to go snap this putter into eight pieces now.'' AUGUSTA FOLKLORE Woods's victory at the 2005 Masters is remembered for a snaking 90-foot birdie on the 16th that has become part of Augusta folkore as one of the all-time great shots.

His failure to slip into a fifth green jacket, however, will be remembered for two routine eagle putts missed from inside 10 feet.

After slipping five behind Mickelson, Woods finally looked ready to take a run at the leader when he was left with a four-foot eagle putt on the par-five 13th.

But as his putt slipped past the hole, Woods dropped into a crouch over his ball and hung his head.

Another seven-foot eagle opportunity at the 15th also ended in a birdie but Woods's crushed expression said he had let his last real chance a fifth Masters crown get away.

''This is the most three putts I've ever had here,'' lamented Woods. ''Even if I just putted normal, maybe I would have given Phil a bit of a fight.

''I had more putts inside 10 feet for birdies and eagles and I missed them all.

''I could have had two more eagles.'' It was an emotionally draining and disappointing week for Woods, who had arrived at the Masters hinting he might leave at any moment if his father's health continue to deteriorate.

In 1997 after heart surgery, Woods senior defied doctors orders to come to be with his son in Augusta.

With the advice of his father, Woods romped to an historic 12-shot victory and later wept on his Earl's shoulder as the pair celebrated.

Woods had hoped a victory this week would provide his father with a badly needed lift but instead was left looking for a boost of his own.

''It was so frustrating,'' said Woods. ''The way I was hitting the ball, it could have been a different story.'' Reuters VJ VP0720