The golf axiom, "Drive for show, putt for dough," never was truer than in the final round of the 70th Masters Tournament. Just ask Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.

Tiger Woods misses a birdie putt on No. 6 in the final round of the Masters. Woods finished tied for 41st in putting Sunday. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

When they get around to watching the videotape of Sunday's last round, they'll probably want to have a long talk with their putters. That is, if the blades survive that long.

"As good as I hit it today is as bad as I putted," Woods said after a final-round 70 that could have been at least four shots better. "I'll probably go snap the putter in about eight pieces."

Woods and Couples finished the tournament in a third-place tie with three others at 4-under par. Each had ample opportunity to make a charge at winner Phil Mickelson, if not for some shoddy work on the greens.

Here are a few of the lowlights:

- No. 2: Couples made par 5 after missing a 6-foot birdie putt.

- No. 8: Couples made par 5 after reaching the green in two, leaving a long eagle putt about 10 feet short and then missing the birdie attempt. Tiger also missed about an 8-foot birdie putt.

- No. 11: Couples rimmed out a five-foot par putt on the par 4.

- No. 12: Woods missed about a 12-foot birdie putt.

- No. 13: Woods slid a 6-foot eagle putt by on the par 5, settling for a disappointing birdie.

- No. 14: Couples' most egregious error, three-putting from 3 feet for bogey. Had he made birdie on the par-4, he would have been one shot behind Mickelson.

- No. 15: Woods missed another eagle putt, ending his chances for his first comeback win in a major.

"I felt so much control of my ball from tee to green, the best I've hit it in years," said Woods, who started the final round two shots behind Mickelson. "Final round of the majors (I hit it) exactly how you want to hit it. But then again, I absolutely lost it on the greens."

The numbers bear out his and Couples' travails. Woods hit 15 of 18 greens, and Couples hit 16 of 18 greens, but both finished near the bottom in putting (Couples T-45th and Woods T-41st) for the final round.

Couples, who was seeking a second green jacket to go with the one he won in 1992, shared his pain over the slick greens.

"I felt like I hit the ball as close, or even a little better (than Mickelson)," said Couples, who was paired in the last group with the winner. "But the guys who win this thing are the ones who putt well, and I couldn't get one in the hole and get any momentum."

Reach Mike Wynn at (706) 823-3218 or mike.wynn@augustachronicle.com.