Jack Nicklaus insisted "golf still needs Tiger Woods" as he threw his support behind the ailing former world No 1 following the worst round of his professional career.
Woods found water four times over the last 10 holes in a remarkable 13-over 85 in the third round of The Memorial, a tournament he has won five times, and he will now suffer the humiliation of going out first on his own on the final day.
The 14-time major champion is last of the 71 players who made the cut, six shots behind 70th-place Lucas Glover, and tournament host Nicklaus was at a loss to explain Woods' capitulation.
Woods has now posted career-worst rounds twice this year following his second-round 82 at the Phonix Open, and Nicklaus said: "I'm not only surprised, I feel very bad for him.
"He has struggled healthwise. He has struggled with his short game earlier in the year. He feels like he's coming back and then does this. I don't have an answer for it, an explanation, I'm sure he probably doesn't either."
Woods is playing only his fifth tournament of the season and has yet to come to terms with the swing changes he has implemented under coach Chris Como, who he turned to after parting company with Sean Foley late last year.
But Nicklaus feels Woods should rely more on his own knowledge, and backed him to return to the top of his game.
"He's the only one who really knows what's going on," Nicklaus added. "He's got such a great work ethic, and the game needs you, Tiger."