Akron (Ohio, US), Aug. 9 : Golfing great Tiger Woods crashed to his worst performance ever at the Bridgestone Invitational here.

Admitting that he would be a Ryder Cup liability playing the way he is, Woods'' said his dismal seven-over-par 77 in the closing round had left him a wretched 18 over.

This is six shots more than his previous worst tournament showing - at the 2003 USPGA Championship - and left him next to last in the 80-player event, The Sun reports.

Incredibly, the 14-times Major champion hit rock bottom on one of his favourite courses.

He won on his previous four visits to Firestone in Akron, Ohio, and a US Tour-record seven times in all. He also shot the lowest round of his career there, a course record-equalling 61.

There was never any chance of a repeat as he carded three birdies, six bogeys and two double-bogeys yesterday.

Woods, 34, was at a loss to explain his performance.

He said: "Shooting 18 over is no fun. It''s tough. The only thing I can say is that all week I was patient - unfortunately that''s not enough."

Woods, however, did manage to cling on to his world No 1 spot after Phil Mickelson failed to secure a top-four spot with a final-round 78. But he is still just outside the automatic qualifying places for the US Ryder Cup team with just this week''s USPGA to come before captain Corey Pavin names his team. (ANI)