Woods' frustration on the greens reached a peak on Sunday. (Getty Images)

Woods drove well all week at Augusta National, consistently giving himself birdie change after birdie chance. (Getty Images)

The Masters

Full coverage Final Scores Photos: Final round Photos: Immelman's career Final-round recap Immelman's scorecard Running final-round notebook More notes, stats Immelman's major record Woods second again Woods' Masters record Snedeker's emotional week Flesch's watery mistake Arron set for time off Post-round interview: Stewart Cink Post-round interview: Trevor Immelman Video: Immelman receives the Green Jacket

Yes, well, Tiger Woods doesn't go anywhere to finish second.

For the second year in a row, however, that's how he'll leave the Masters Tournament.

The No. 1 player in the world and an even-money pre-tournament favorite, Woods played tight, couldn't live up to the Grand Slam hype he helped fuel -- "I've learned my lesson there," he said -- and evacuated these historic grounds not only wondering what might have been but also, perhaps asking himself, what is going on here lately?

A proudly played -- but pedestrian 72 -- on a wind-churned Augusta National layout left Woods three strokes behind South Africa's Trevor Immelman and relegated him to his fifth career second-place finish in a major championship. Four of those have come in his last 11 majors -- and three in the last five.

Though he captured his fourth PGA Championship title and 13th major championship last August at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., Woods can't be enjoying this recent spate of too little too late.

"It's frustrating, because I did hit the ball well enough to give myself a chance," said Woods, 32, who owns four Green Jackets. "I didn't putt well all week; I kept dragging the blade. I wasn't releasing it, wasn't getting the overspin like I normally do. Out here if you're not starting the ball perfectly on line, you're not going to make any putts."

Statistics in golf can be misleading, but not in this week's 72nd Masters. Woods, who leads the PGA TOUR in greens in regulation, tied for fourth in the statistic at Augusta National, but he needed 120 putts over 72 holes, tied for 29th among the 45 men who made the cut.

"I just didn't quite have it this week," he said glumly.

"I really feel like I hit it well enough, but you have to get the putter going or it doesn't really matter a whole bunch how well you hit it," he added.

Woods is without peer in this era in compiling major championship victories, but on Sunday he competed in his 51st major (45th as a professional) and still the formula for success when trailing after 54 holes escapes him. Perhaps that might be a glass-half-empty view when considering he is 13-0 while holding at least a share of the top spot through three rounds.

Nevertheless, it's a statistic worth noting and worth continuing to watch. By the way, in the comparison game with Jack Nicklaus, Woods's five second place finishes is 14 behind the Golden Bear, who captured half of his 18 professional majors after trailing with 18 to play.

The Grand Slam is no longer a possibility for Woods this year. Only Immelman can contemplate such a profoundly improbably notion. Woods looked perplexed -- rightly so -- when a television reporter asked if he was glad the cacophony of Grand Slam chatter could now cease for the year.

"Am I glad?" he asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "No."

Neither is he dispirited or disenchanted. The year is still young, the major championship season only begun.

"There are three more majors," he pointed out, smiling. With that, he ducked into the clubhouse. He was going to get something to eat. "I'm hungry," he said.

He's always hungry, you know. Torrey Pines, Royal Birkdale and Oakland Hills await. Tiger Woods won't be going to those venues to finish second, either.