Tiger Woods may have missed out on securing a 15th major, but the former world number one feels his game is back on track.
The 36-year-old carded a final round three-over-par 73 to finish joint third at The Open - his best finish the Championship since he won the Claret Jug in 2006.
Woods, who hasn't won a major since 2008, started the day five shots behind overnight leader Adam Scott but a triple-bogey seven at the sixth hole all but ended his hopes of winning the title. He eventually finished four shots behind winner Ernie Els.
Although he missed out on ultimate glory, Woods is not too downbeat about his lean patch in majors at the moment.
"It's part of golf. We all go through these phases - some people it lasts entire careers, others are a little bit shorter," he said.
"Even the greatest players to ever play have all gone through little stretches like this.
"When you're playing careers last 40 and 50 years you're going to have stretches like this.
"I was right there, the game plan was to shoot under par going out so I was in position to do what I wanted to do and then turn home and shoot maybe one or two under on the back nine.
"I would have posted an eight or nine under par and I thought that was going to be the number to win the golf tournament.
"Unfortunately I just didn't do it."
Woods has struggled with knee problems in recent years and he caused a few anxious moments when he winced and clutched at his leg after playing from a kneeling position to get out of the bunker at the sixth.
However, he insisted afterwards that he was fine.
"I finally feel like I'm really healthy. And I've got my pop back in my swing. So I'm hitting the ball distances I know I can," he said.
"Unfortunately when I get out here with a little bit of adrenaline, it goes a little bit further, too.
"It's a combination of having my strength and my speed back, at the same time playing tournament golf. It's not that far off."
golf365.com