Woods's bid for 15th major foiled by Yang, poor putting

Final round putting was the reason for Tiger Woods's first failure to win a major he led going into the last day, the world number one said yesterday.

"I made absolutely nothing. Terrible day on the greens and I had it at the wrong time," Woods said after his three-over-par 75 left him in second place on five-under-par at the US PGA Championship, three shots behind South Korean Yang Yong-eun.

Woods, who began the round with a two-stroke lead, missed three birdie putts from 10 feet and another from 12 feet. He also missed a 12-foot, par-saving putt at the 17th that would have hauled him back into a tie for the lead.

Still, Woods led or shared the lead until the 14th hole.

Yang's spectacular chip-in for eagle at the short par-four 14th gave him a one-stroke lead over Woods, which boosted him to his maiden major - and the first by an Asian man.

The final margin of victory was deceiving as Yang led by one stroke going to the 18th, where he birdied to complete a two-under 70, while a demoralised Woods bogeyed.

The result ended Woods's 14-for-14 record in cashing in final-round leads in the majors.

Woods said his stunning defeat was a combination of his putting woes and Yang's solid play.

"It's both. I was in control of the tournament most of the day. I was playing well, hitting the ball well. I was making nothing, but still either tied for the lead or ahead.

"And Y.E. played great. I don't think he really missed a shot all day.

Yang never gave a hint of nerves.

"I guess the fearlessness comes from the fact that I know I'm doing my dream job.

"I wasn't that nervous, honestly, because it's a game of golf," said Yang, who also tamed Tiger at the 2006 HSBC Champions in Shanghai.