<p>Tiger Woods overcame nagging back issues to fire a one-under-par 71 in Saturday's third round of the US PGA Memorial tournament, feeling better after barely making the cut.</p>.<p>The 44-year-old reigning Masters champion, playing his first tournament since finishing 68th last February at Riviera, stood on two-over 218 after 54 holes at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.</p>.<p>"Overall I felt I played well, controled the ball well," Woods said. "I hit one really bad shot at three, but overall it was a good solid day."</p>.<p>World number 14 Woods, a five-time Memorial champion, plunked his approach at the par-4 third into the water and made bogey, but answered with eight-foot birdie putts at the fifth and sixth.</p>.<p>He fell back with a bogey at the par-4 ninth but rallied again with back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15, the latter on a 17-foot birdie putt, only to bogey the par-3 16th after missing a five-foot par putt.</p>.<p>Woods, level with Sam Snead on a record 82 US PGA titles, said the back that bothered him in shooting 76 on Friday was "a lot better" Saturday.</p>.<p>"That's the way it is these days," Woods said of his inconsistent body.</p>.<p>"I was moving better today. I felt like I did the first day. Consequently, I can make the passes at the golf ball like I did the first day. Unfortunately, I didn't make any putts today. Hopefully I can make a few tomorrow."</p>.<p>The 15-time major champion, finishing well before the leaders teed off in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event, said the course was playing as the legend would like.</p>.<p>"It's tough. It's fast. It's right where they want it," Woods said.</p>.<p>Woods was pleased to be able to have two more competitive rounds this weekend after nearly missing the Memorial cut for the first time in 18 starts.</p>.<p>"Playing at home and out here is so very different," Woods said. "Absolutely happy to get in a couple more rounds playing competitively."</p>
<p>Tiger Woods overcame nagging back issues to fire a one-under-par 71 in Saturday's third round of the US PGA Memorial tournament, feeling better after barely making the cut.</p>.<p>The 44-year-old reigning Masters champion, playing his first tournament since finishing 68th last February at Riviera, stood on two-over 218 after 54 holes at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.</p>.<p>"Overall I felt I played well, controled the ball well," Woods said. "I hit one really bad shot at three, but overall it was a good solid day."</p>.<p>World number 14 Woods, a five-time Memorial champion, plunked his approach at the par-4 third into the water and made bogey, but answered with eight-foot birdie putts at the fifth and sixth.</p>.<p>He fell back with a bogey at the par-4 ninth but rallied again with back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15, the latter on a 17-foot birdie putt, only to bogey the par-3 16th after missing a five-foot par putt.</p>.<p>Woods, level with Sam Snead on a record 82 US PGA titles, said the back that bothered him in shooting 76 on Friday was "a lot better" Saturday.</p>.<p>"That's the way it is these days," Woods said of his inconsistent body.</p>.<p>"I was moving better today. I felt like I did the first day. Consequently, I can make the passes at the golf ball like I did the first day. Unfortunately, I didn't make any putts today. Hopefully I can make a few tomorrow."</p>.<p>The 15-time major champion, finishing well before the leaders teed off in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event, said the course was playing as the legend would like.</p>.<p>"It's tough. It's fast. It's right where they want it," Woods said.</p>.<p>Woods was pleased to be able to have two more competitive rounds this weekend after nearly missing the Memorial cut for the first time in 18 starts.</p>.<p>"Playing at home and out here is so very different," Woods said. "Absolutely happy to get in a couple more rounds playing competitively."</p>