Luke Donald admitted his Major Championship dreams would have to be put on hold after a third round 75 at The Masters Tournament.
The World Number One, who won money list titles on both sides of the Atlantic last season, pitched in for an eagle two on the third to move back into contention.
But he wrote off his chance after going in Rae's Creek on the 13th and running up his second seven of the week at Augusta National.
"There's nothing worse than waking up on a Sunday and whatever you do is not going to be good enough," the 34 year old said as he dropped to seven over par, 12 adrift of leaders Jason Dufner and 52 year old Fred Couples, who were still to tee off again.
Even if Donald climbs around ten places in the final round, Rory McIlroy, one off the lead at halfway, would only need to finish 20th to take back the World Number One spot.
There was also the possibility of Lee Westwood regaining the position he last held last May, before Donald beat him in a play-off for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
He needed to win his first Major title to have a chance of leapfrogging over Donald and McIlroy, but he was alongside the Northern Irishman on four under when he resumed.
As for Tiger Woods, he started brightly like Donald, but then faded as well.
The four-time champion, completely off form in his second-round 75, birdied the third and fourth, but had returned to three over by the turn and remained that way with three to play.
Amazingly, he had managed only one birdie on the par fives all week - one out of 12 attempts, that is - and on the 13th did well to make his five after hooking his drive into the creek.
It was Donald's second shot that found the water there.
"I thought I hit a decent shot," Donald said of his three iron, "but it missed carrying by two inches."
After a penalty drop he skimmed his pitch over the green and three-putted - as he did on the 14th. Missed putts of six feet on the 16th and 18th just piled on the agony.
"I had high hopes for this week," he added. "I will think about my build-up, but I felt ready. At least I won some crystal for the eagle, that's about the only high."
