Late bogies drop Tiger Woods to second

Jack Nicklaus has one record that Tiger Woods has absolutely no interest in breaking.

Asked how many times Nicklaus finished second at a major in his illustrious career, Woods was quick to reply, "19".

On Sunday, Woods moved a step closer to that unwanted mark and at the same time let a chance to inch nearer to Nicklaus's record of 18 major wins slip through his fingers after placing second at the U.S. Open behind New Zealand's Michael Campbell.

Woods has never taken much comfort in second-place finishes, labelling the runner-up as nothing more than the first loser.

It's also something he has little experience of, having come home second at a major just twice in his career.

"If you back door it and come out of nowhere to get a second then yeah (it's good)," said Woods, who was chasing his 10th major victory.

"But if you feel you have a chance to win and you didn't take that opportunity, then it's disappointing.

"The two seconds that I've had, I've had wonderful opportunities to win both of the them, the PGA at Hazeltine (in 2001) and now here.

"Two wonderful opportunities and I didn't get it done coming down the stretch."

The U.S. Masters champion had started the final round six strokes behind overnight leader Retief Goosen and rallied from a bogey-bogey start with birdies on four, seven, 10, 11 and 15.

Although he also dropped shots on 16 and 17 to slip back to three over, the American had a two-shot buffer over third-placed Spaniard Sergio Garcia and South Africa's Tim Clark and secured second place with a 69.

"It looked like I probably shouldn't have had a chance," Woods said. "After that start, bogey, bogey, I'm sure most people wrote me off.

"I figured if I could just get to even par for my for the total, that I might if I was lucky, might be able to get into a playoff.

"And I was trying to, and unfortunately, I made those two bogeys on 16 and 17 and kind of put me out of that equation, trying to get to even par."

While clearly disappointed in his failure to add another major to his trophy cabinet, Woods was upbeat about his performance and the overall state of his game after a testing week at Pinehurst No. 2.

Woods said he has continued to fine-tune his game since his victory at Augusta in April and is close to firing on all cylinders.

"I've come a long way, come a long way," a pleased Woods offered. "And for all the people that have slammed me for making the changes (to his swing), now you understand why I did it.

"Look how beautifully I hit it all week. I really controlled my flight well. I drove the ball better.

"And I've taken some nice giant strides, and that's exciting. I just wish I could have brought my putter with it."