Woods seeks end to major drought

World number one commends Chinese golf prodigy ahead of Masters.

AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods, favoured to win the 77th Masters – starting today – and take his first major title since 2008, says he would have won a couple more Masters crowns the past few years had he putted better.

World number one Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus, has not won the Masters since taking his fourth in 2005 and has not won any major since the 2008 US Open.

But Woods has won three times this year, his 77 career titles only five shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record, and has displayed clutch putting skill in triumphs at Torrey Pines and last month at Doral and Bay Hill.

“I feel comfortable with every aspect of my game,” said Woods. “I’ve improved and I’ve got more consistent and I think the wins show that.”

Asked if he would have had a couple more Masters victories had he simply putted better over the undulating greens of Augusta National, Woods replied, ‘absolutely’.

“You have to make your putts. You have to make the majority of the putts inside 10 feet and you’ve got to be just a great lag putter.”

Meanwhile, there is a sense that his top rival this year will be Rory McIlroy, who played the past two weeks to round his game into shape, particularly his swing. A second-place effort at last week’s Texas Open boosted McIlroy’s confidence.

“Whenever my golf swing is where I want to be, that’s when I produce results,” said McIlroy. “And that’s what I’ve seen has started to happen over the past few weeks.”

He is also not worried that Woods is showing his best form in years.

“It doesn’t make a difference to me at all. I’m here to concentrate on myself and play my game and try to shoot the best score that I can.”

Woods impressed with Chinese
teen at Masters

Woods was also amazed at 14-year-old Chinese golf prodigy Guan Tianlang and how well he executed his shotmaking at Augusta National this week ahead of the tournament’s start.

“For a 14-year-old to be able to come out here and handle himself the way he has done is just unbelievable,” said Woods.

Guan is set to become the youngest player in Masters history when he tees off today alongside two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, with whom he shared a Monday morning practice round, and Italy’s Matteo Manassero.

Masters Winners List

2012- Bubba Watson

2011- Charl Schwartzel (RSA)

2010- Phil Mickelson

2009- Angel Cabrera (ARG)

2008- Trevor Immelman (RSA)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.