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Tiger searching for his first PGA Tour title of the year

Tiger Woods goes into this week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits searching for his first PGA Tour title of the year after a career-worst performance on the US circuit last week.

The American world number one finished joint second-last in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club on Sunday after posting an 18-over total of 298 at a venue where he had previously triumphed seven times.

His fellow competitors have been speaking about the prospects of a first major win by Woods since the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, and since his private unravelled at the end of last year amid revelations of serial philandering.

Photographs: Reuters

'He might come back better than he was before'

Britain's Paul Casey, who seeks his first major title at Whistling Straits: "I have no doubt in my mind that Tiger will be back to his levels -- I don't know where he'll be but to his very, very high standards when he gets back. He might come back better than he was before. I don't put anything past him."

'We're not used to seeing it happen to him'

American world number two Phil Mickelson, who could replace Woods at the top of the rankings this week. "We all have an off-day. We all have tough days. We're not used to seeing it happen to him, but it does happen to the best players. It's happened to (Jack) Nicklaus over his career. It's happened to (Sam) Snead and (Ben) Hogan and all the greats."

'He's just not the regular Tiger we're used to seeing'

American Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim, who was sidelined for three months this season because of a thumb injury. "He's obviously struggling. He's not hitting it very well, and he's just not the regular Tiger we're used to seeing. He's obviously had a lot of stuff going on, and he's dealing with that. Golf is an easy thing to do once your personal life is straightened out, and I'm sure it's going to happen soon for him."

'The guy is a phenomenon'

Britain's Graeme McDowell, who won his first major title in the US Open at Pebble Beach in July. "Certainly what Tiger has done the last 15 years has not been bad for the sport. It's been phenomenal and the guy is a phenomenon. He will be back and he will win more majors."