Woods at a loss over recent Bay Hill struggles

ORLANDO, Florida, Mar 14 (Reuters) Four-times champion Tiger Woods cannot explain why he has failed to shine over the last three years at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The world number one reeled off four consecutive victories at the Bay Hill Club from 2000 but has finished no better than tied for 20th in his last three starts at one of his favourite venues.

''I don't know, it's one of those weird things,'' the 31-year-old American told reporters after competing in today's pro-am.

''I feel comfortable on this golf course but, for some reason, I just haven't played well. I haven't put it together.'' Asked if he felt any pressure to win a fifth title at Bay Hill, the 12-times major champion replied: ''You're always antsy to win every tournament you play.

''I'm looking forward to the challenge this week of getting out there and hopefully shooting some good rounds.

''This golf course definitely fits my eye. I just don't feel uneasy on a lot of shots like you do on some golf courses where you face certain holes and certain shots.'' The Bay Hill layout has been changed from a par-72 to a par-70 since last year, and Woods expects the four-inch rough to test the players to the full.

TOUGH ROUGH ''It's tough,'' said the Florida resident, who will be making his 11th successive appearance at an event where he has never missed the cut. ''I was in there a couple of times today.

''If you get a down-grain lie, you might be able to get the ball to the green. If you get a ball that's into the grain, you're not getting there. You'll have to rely on pitching and putting.'' Although Woods has played only two events on the 2007 PGA Tour, he is not concerned about his preparation for next month's Masters, the opening major of the season.

''Basically this event was right before the Players (Championship) last year, so it was these two events in Florida before I played Augusta,'' the 55-times PGA Tour winner said.

Woods, who won the Buick Invitational in his first tournament of the year, is competing at Bay Hill and in next week's WGC-CA Championship at Doral before bidding for a fifth Masters title from April 5-8.

''It's basically the same schedule for me,'' he added. ''I'll be just as prepared. I'm just one tournament shy of what I normally do. That was because I didn't play the Mercedes this year.'' Woods skipped the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship in Hawaii to give himself more time to prepare for his 2007 campaign.

Although he will not be returning to Augusta National as defending Masters champion, the game's leading player says he will still experience the same thrill.

''I love going to that golf course,'' he said. ''I fell in love with it watching it on television, and each and every year I go back, it's one of the greatest places we can ever play.'' Woods, who won the most recent of his four green jackets at Augusta in 2005, is scheduled to tee off at 0907 local (1937 hrs IST) in tomorrow's opening round at Bay Hill.

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