Tiger Woods feels much stronger ahead of PGA Championship
Surgically repaired leg said to be ‘feeling stronger’
16 May 2022 - 16:43
byAgency Staff
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Tiger Woods waves to fans on the 18th green during the final round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the US, April 10 2022. Picture: MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS
Tiger Woods played a nine-hole practice round on Sunday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ahead of this week’s PGA Championship.
The 15-time major winner told reporters that he felt his surgically repaired leg and foot were feeling stronger than when he played the Masters a month ago.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger since the Masters,” Woods said. “We went back to work on Tuesday [after the Masters]. Monday was awful. I did nothing and Tuesday was leg day. So, we went right back after it. We started ramping up a week or so ago, played a little bit more golf, and it was good. Everything is better.”
After a car crash in February 2021 left him unable to walk for three months, Woods made his return to golf at the Masters and made the cut. It ended up being his worst career Masters finish — he finished in 47th place at 13 over par — and it was clear that walking the course was the bigger challenge for Woods than hitting shots.
Woods has made clear that he will pick and choose which tournaments he will play rather than return to playing the PGA Tour full-time.
He is three major titles shy of tying Jack Nicklaus’s career record of 18. Woods won the PGA Championship the last time it was held at Southern Hills, in 2007.
His caddie, Joe LaCava, also told reporters that he sees Woods’ strength returning. “Hundred percent I see him stronger,” LaCava said.
“I just think the endurance is there now. I don’t think he’s getting quite as tired as quickly. I see more endurance more than anything. Other than the fact that he won here 15 years ago, I think it’s the stamina and endurance thing that excites him the most.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Tiger Woods feels much stronger ahead of PGA Championship
Surgically repaired leg said to be ‘feeling stronger’
Tiger Woods played a nine-hole practice round on Sunday at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ahead of this week’s PGA Championship.
The 15-time major winner told reporters that he felt his surgically repaired leg and foot were feeling stronger than when he played the Masters a month ago.
“I’ve gotten a lot stronger since the Masters,” Woods said. “We went back to work on Tuesday [after the Masters]. Monday was awful. I did nothing and Tuesday was leg day. So, we went right back after it. We started ramping up a week or so ago, played a little bit more golf, and it was good. Everything is better.”
After a car crash in February 2021 left him unable to walk for three months, Woods made his return to golf at the Masters and made the cut. It ended up being his worst career Masters finish — he finished in 47th place at 13 over par — and it was clear that walking the course was the bigger challenge for Woods than hitting shots.
Woods has made clear that he will pick and choose which tournaments he will play rather than return to playing the PGA Tour full-time.
He is three major titles shy of tying Jack Nicklaus’s career record of 18. Woods won the PGA Championship the last time it was held at Southern Hills, in 2007.
His caddie, Joe LaCava, also told reporters that he sees Woods’ strength returning. “Hundred percent I see him stronger,” LaCava said.
“I just think the endurance is there now. I don’t think he’s getting quite as tired as quickly. I see more endurance more than anything. Other than the fact that he won here 15 years ago, I think it’s the stamina and endurance thing that excites him the most.”
Reuters
PGA Tour denies players permisssion to play in rival series
Strydom looking for fast start to new Sunshine Tour season
Mickelson and Woods to compete in PGA Championship
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.