Tiger's Blog: Playing three in a row

I had a busy stretch in which I played in three consecutive tournaments, something I've actually done quite a bit as a professional. Although I haven't done it since 2007, I've played in three straight events 16 times in my career and four in a row five times.

For the most part, I was very successful during my recent starts, winning the Buick Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and finishing second at the PGA Championship.

I must admit, there was some wear and tear on my body. I lost nine pounds in three weeks. If you watch me play, I eat a lot -- usually bananas, nuts or a sandwich -- and drink a lot of Gatorade Tiger, but I burn it off quickly. I just couldn't seem to get enough calories in me a couple of those weeks, and it was pretty hot. I need meals in order to maintain my weight.

Winning at Buick was very special to me because it was the last tournament they sponsored at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club. Buick has been fabulous to me and the entire PGA Tour the last 50 years. I wanted to go back and support their event and enjoy the town and all the people I've gotten to know.

I got off to a bad start in the tournament -- played terrible. After that, I got it going and hit it better the next two days. On Sunday, I did enough to get the job done.

At Bridgestone, I've always felt great playing at Firestone Country Club, and I think my record reflects that. I think I'm the only player in PGA Tour history to win on the same course seven times.

I felt like I was hitting the ball well enough to win. It came down to a man-to-man battle between Padraig Harrington and me. Even though he's had a disappointing year, he still understands how to get it done. It was important to cut into his lead as fast as I could, and making the early eagle helped a lot. I made a couple mistakes on 13 and 14, and he capitalized. Padraig also made a couple mistakes, especially at 16. I was able to make birdie -- hitting one of the better 8-irons of my career there to regain the lead -- and hold on for the victory.

At the PGA Championship, I was hitting the ball well and putting well in streaks. I got off to a great start and was pretty much in control of the tournament until the 13th hole on Sunday. I missed a good birdie chance, and Y.E. Yang got up-and-down from a bunker. Then at 14, he chips in for eagle, and I have to make birdie to only lose one shot.

On Y.E.'s second shot at 16, you could see his ball stand up in the wind, and he was fortunate to avoid the hazard. Then at 17, I flushed a 7-iron right at the flag, caught a downwind gust and the ball carried too far.

The wind was just blustery. We had a lot of gusts out there, especially with the trees blowing. On some holes, greens were more exposed. It was just tough to pull the right club.

Some accused me of playing too conservatively. But with a two-shot lead going into Sunday, if I putt well, it's a moot point. There were a lot of times you couldn't be aggressive, plus the greens were pretty bumpy on Sunday.

I was sort of disappointed I didn't putt well at the right time. I felt pretty good over my putts. Most of my misses were left, and that's from poor alignment. It was tough to sleep that night. Well done to Y.E., who played phenomenal golf on Sunday and did what he had to do.

When I woke up Monday, it was on to the next day. I had a good run of three weeks. Unfortunately, I didn't putt well one day, and it cost me a tournament.

I was glad to hear golf and rugby were recommended for the 2016 Olympic Games. Hopefully, they will both be approved. It's a great way of exposing golf to other countries and will give them an opportunity to participate. It kind of reminds me of the Jamaican bobsled team. Maybe a team you would never expect can win a medal. I've got seven years to put on some weight and bulk up for the U.S. rugby team. Fortunately, I have a special adviser in Steve Williams.

On Monday, I played in the Notah Begay III Foundation Challenge in New York, where we helped raise money for improved health and wellness of Native American youth around the country. Notah has always been like a brother to me, even before our days at Stanford University, and he put on an incredible event. Notah should be very proud of himself for getting involved in such an important cause to help kids.

Later this week, I will compete in The Barclays, the first of four FedExCup events. We're all excited for the playoffs to start, and we'll see what happens. Time to lose a little more weight!

That's all for now. I'll catch up with you next month.