Golf-Masters-Tiger claws way back after double bogey start

By Steve Keating

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 11 (Reuters) - Tiger Woods said he had never battled so tenaciously after carding a two-under 70 in the U.S. Masters third round on Saturday to maintain outside hopes of securing his fifth Green Jacket.

"Today is as hard as I have ever fought to get a score," the world number one told reporters after finishing on four-under 212. "I fought back and got myself back in it.

"Overall I wasn't quite comfortable today for some reason."

Chasing his 15th major title, Woods made a woeful start with a double-bogey six at the first.

The American pulled his tee shot into the trees, punched out right of the green and hit a weak chip that caught a swale and ran away 20 feet from the hole.

He then took three putts, missing a three-footer for bogey.

"Making a double-bogey and three-putting the first just put me right behind the eight-ball," said Woods who was sidelined for eight months after reconstructive knee surgery in June.

"But, man, I fought hard to get it back today. That was a hell of a fight."