A brush with dying has not been adequate to decrease the arrogance of Tiger Woods. Talking earlier than the newest of his unlikely comebacks, on the 86th Masters, Woods has insisted he can win what could be a sixth Inexperienced Jacket.
Fourteen months since being confined to a hospital mattress after incurring critical accidents from a automotive crash in California and 17 since his final spherical of aggressive golf, Woods has defied widespread expectation to take his place within the Masters draw. His newest extreme injury was in his decrease proper leg and foot, which at the moment are held collectively by steel.
“I do,” the 46-year-old American replied when requested if he thought victory at Augusta Nationwide was a sensible prospect. “I can hit it simply nice. I don’t have any qualms about what I can do from a golf standpoint. It’s now strolling is the arduous half. That is usually not a simple stroll to start with. Now given the situations that my leg is in, it will get much more troublesome. You already know, 72 holes is an extended highway. It’s going to be a troublesome problem and a problem that I’m up for.
“I feel that the truth that I used to be capable of get myself right here up to now is successful. Now that I'm taking part in, all the pieces is targeted on: ‘How do I get myself into the place the place I’m on that again 9 on Sunday with an opportunity?’ Identical to I did a number of years in the past.” Certainly, Woods’s 2019 Masters triumph is considered one of many best sporting comebacks of all time.
Pressed on what gave him motivation to ship what's a fifth return from critical well being points, Woods stated: “Nicely, I like competing and I really feel like, if I can nonetheless compete on the highest stage, I’m going to. If I really feel like I can nonetheless win, I’m going to play. But when I really feel like I can’t, then you definitely received’t see me out right here. You guys know me higher than that.
“I don’t present as much as an occasion except I feel I can win it. In order that’s the angle I’ve had. There will likely be a day when it received’t occur, and I’ll know when that's, however bodily the problem this week is I don’t have to fret concerning the ball putting or the sport of golf. It’s truly simply the hills out right here. That’s going to be the problem and it’s going to be a problem of a serious marathon.”
He could have Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquín Niemann for firm in the course of the opening two rounds. Hideki Matsuyama, the defending champion, will accomplice Justin Thomas and the newbie James Piot. Rory McIlroy kinds a part of the final grouping to play on Thursday, alongside Brooks Koepka and Matt Fitzpatrick. José María Olazábal, the champion of 1994 and 1999, will hit the event’s opening drive.
McIlroy has steered it will be no shock to see Woods compete on the summit of the leaderboard. “I wouldn’t be shocked,” McIlroy stated. “I’ve spent a bit of little bit of time with him at residence and the golf is there. He’s hitting it properly. He’s chipping properly. He’s sharp. It’s simply the bodily demand of getting round 72 holes right here this week. That’s most likely the query mark. However the golf sport is there. So, would I be shocked? No, I’m not shocked at something he does any extra.”
Woods confirmed he would have been completely happy together with his profession had it been closed on account of harm. “I feel 82 is a fairly good quantity and 15 just isn't too unhealthy, both,” he stated in respect of his PGA Tour and main victory tallies, respectively.
“I've labored arduous. My group has been unbelievable. I've been fortunate to have nice surgeons and nice PTs and physios which have labored on me nearly on daily basis. Now we have labored arduous to get up to now, to get this chance to stroll the grounds, check it out and see if I can do that.
“It has been a troublesome, powerful yr and a whole lot of stuff that I’ve needed to cope with I wouldn’t want on anybody. However right here we're, Masters week.”
Thomas, who performed with Woods throughout apply rounds at Augusta each final week and this, believes his shut good friend’s sport is “lots, lots ok to play properly”.
The 2017 US PGA champion stated: “No one has a piece ethic and willpower like him. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it by way of setting your thoughts to one thing and sort of setting a purpose for your self and proving to your self and everyone that you are able to do it.”
Patrons had been requested to evacuate Augusta Nationwide at lunchtime on Tuesday after the arrival of a predicted electrical storm. However event days are forecast as dry however cool.
Post a Comment