Sports Shorts: Woods misses cut at Riviera after eight bogeys

A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Friday.

A struggling Tiger Woods failed to make the cut at the Genesis Open in California on Friday as he had eight bogeys in a round of five-over-par 76.

The disappointing play left the 14-times major champion at six-over 148, four strokes over the projected cut of +2.

"I've just got to play more tournaments," said Woods, making his second start of the PGA Tour season after a year-long absence following back surgery.

Britain's Graeme McDowell and American Patrick Cantlay shared the clubhouse lead at seven-under 135.

Northern Ireland's McDowell shot a five-under 66, while Cantlay posted a 69.

American Sam Saunders also was at seven-under through 15 holes with countryman Ryan Moore another stroke back after a 68.

Bad light forced play to be abandoned with about 20 players still to finish their second rounds. They will return on Saturday to finish.

Still troubled by his driving and putting, Woods made only three birdies during his second round and had more bogeys than scores of par.

Despite his problems, the former world number one committed to play in next week's Honda Classic in Florida, marking the first time in three years he has entered tournaments on back-to-back weeks. [nL2N1Q700J]

"I need some tournament rounds," Woods said of the event near his Florida home.

Despite the problems, Woods said he believed he was progressing in his comeback.

"I haven't played golf in years," he said. "I'm starting to come back and it's going to take a little time. I am progressing, I'm starting to get a feel for tournament golf again. I just need to clean up my rounds."

Woods' troubles began on the front nine and went downhill when he had birdies around a bogey at the fourth hole before three bogeys in four holes from the sixth left him at two-over.

A birdie at 10 appeared to give him fresh hope, but it did not last.

"I thought I could pump a drive down there at 11 and get to it with an iron and turn the tide around and play a good solid back nine," Woods said. "But I didn't do it."

Three successive bogeys and another at 16 followed, wiping out any hope of salvaging the round.

Poor putting did not help.

"Today was the first day I felt bad with a putter this year," Woods said. "I didn't feel very good when I was warming up about putting."

Four West Brom players questioned over taxi theft: police

West Bromwich Albion players Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill apologised in a club statement on Friday after being questioned by police over the theft of a taxi in Barcelona.

The incident happened during the Premier League club's warm-weather training camp.

A source from the Catalan police in the city, the Mossos d'Esquadra, said on Friday: "There were four people who wanted to go out in the city centre.

"Everything was closed so they got a taxi to a McDonald's by the Barcelona port. At some moment the driver left the car for some reason and the four people took control of the car.

"They eventually returned it to their hotel and we got a call from the receptionist saying they had parked outside the hotel. This happened at 5.30am. The taxi was returned to its owner at 8am," the police source said.

"The four people were not arrested but they are under investigation. They were called into the police station about a crime of vehicle theft and made statements. Their statements have been sent to a investigative judge."

A statement was later issued by the club, on behalf of the players.

"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to our team mates, the head coach, the club and especially the supporters for the events which have been the subject of widespread and negative publicity," it read.

"We felt it important we identify ourselves as the players involved in an incident which occurred during the training camp in Spain this week out of respect for team mates who otherwise could be implicated by association."

Under Spanish law, the examining magistrate investigates accusations brought in a criminal complaint before moving into a trial phase. The case is unlikely to go to trial, with such cases usually being settled with a fine.

West Brom were preparing for Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Southampton, following their 3-0 league defeat by champions Chelsea on Monday.

"The club has instigated its own investigation into the incident and the players will be subject to the full rigours of our internal disciplinary procedures," the club said.

Manager Alan Pardew told a news conference on Friday that the incident was "not ideal".

"They broke a curfew and that's unacceptable and I feel let down by that. But we still got our training in. Our focus now is on the game."

Pardew's relegation-threatened side are at the bottom of the league table with three wins, 11 draws and 13 losses in their 27 matches.

Earlier this week, West Brom sacked chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman after the club's poor results this season.