Tiger Woods looks for more improvement at PGA Championship

Tiger Woods doesn’t sound like a guy in survival mode. Though he needs a lights-out performance at the PGA Championship to make a run at a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs, he’s not thinking in those terms.

“I’m just trying to get my game better for years to come,” he said Tuesday at Whistling Straits.

Woods has fallen to 278th in the world, and his best finish in nine PGA Tour events this year is a tie for 17th at the Masters. He didn’t break 75 in four rounds at the U.S. and British Opens.

He said the combination of off-season back surgery, rehab and trying to learn a new swing was “the perfect storm … it couldn’t have been more complicated.

“But now I’m back out here at a level I can practice and play again,” he added. “If I play well, I’ll play in more events. If I don’t, then I have more time to practice and get ready for next season.”

Woods sits 186th on the FedEx Cup points list, 61 spots outside the cutoff to qualify for the playoffs. A top-three finish this week would likely propel him to enter next week’s Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, N.C., the final chance for points before the playoffs begin at The Barclays in Edison, N.J.

But let’s get real: Woods struggled at Whistling Straits when his game was money, tying for 24th in 2004 and 28th in 2010.

As CBS analyst David Feherty put it, Woods’ game now is like “a box of chocolates,” to borrow the line from Forrest Gump.

After his awful 76-75 at St. Andrews, Woods showed promise at the Quicken Loans National by opening in 68-66. But his third-round ball striking was terrible, leading to a 74 that knocked him out of contention.

“He was under pressure, and it made a huge difference,” CBS analyst Nick Faldo said. “He still needs to find the go-to shot, the safety shot where he can get it out on the fairway and continue.”

Asked if he’s still having fun, Woods said he relishes competing and “the opportunity to get better.”

“That, to me, is fun,” he said. “I enjoy working. There’s certain players that don’t really like to practice; they’d rather go out and play with their buddies. I really enjoy practicing and trying to get myself better.”

To have any chance this week, Woods will have to keep his off-line shots to a minimum to avoid recovery shots from bunkers and high fescue.

“You look at this golf course,” he said, “and there’s plenty of room off the tee. There’s plenty of room on the greens. It’s just that you have to hit both of them. If you don’t, then you’re going to have something that’s pretty ugly.”