US PGA National: Woods encouraged despite missing cut
Former world number one golfer five strokes off in comeback.
BETHESDA:
Tiger Woods struggled to a four-over par 75 and missed the cut Friday at the National in his first event after a three-month layoff, but claimed he was encouraged for July’s British Open.
It was only the 10th time Woods has missed the cut in a US PGA Tour event since he turned professional in 1996.
But considering that until this week he had not played competitively since March 9 – undergoing back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve on March 31 – Woods said he was pleased at having no setbacks.
“I hate to say it but I’m really encouraged by what happened this week,” said Woods. “I’m very excited to get to the British Open.”
Woods, a 14-time major winner chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, finished 36 holes at Congressional Country Club on seven-over 149.
That was five strokes beyond the cut line to the low 60 and those tied, sharing 103rd from a field of 120 at the $6.5 million event, which benefits Woods’ charity foundation.
The 38-year-old American was trying to shake the rust off his game ahead of the British Open in three weeks at Royal Liverpool, where he won the Claret Jug in 2006.
“I’m very excited to play that golf course,” he said. “We’ll see what happens when we get there.”
Woods admitted he had been worried about how his body would react to swinging the driver at full speed.
“The fact that I was able to hit it that hard was very encouraging, and not to have any setbacks at all and I was able to shape it both ways, was nice.”
Woods finished 13 strokes adrift of co-leaders Marc Leishman and Oliver Goss of Australia and Patrick Reed and Ricky Barnes of the US.
“Seeing your name atop the board only in my second week as a pro gave me some confidence as I finished out the round,” said Goss. “I feel really great about my game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2014.
Tiger Woods struggled to a four-over par 75 and missed the cut Friday at the National in his first event after a three-month layoff, but claimed he was encouraged for July’s British Open.
It was only the 10th time Woods has missed the cut in a US PGA Tour event since he turned professional in 1996.
But considering that until this week he had not played competitively since March 9 – undergoing back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve on March 31 – Woods said he was pleased at having no setbacks.
“I hate to say it but I’m really encouraged by what happened this week,” said Woods. “I’m very excited to get to the British Open.”
Woods, a 14-time major winner chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, finished 36 holes at Congressional Country Club on seven-over 149.
That was five strokes beyond the cut line to the low 60 and those tied, sharing 103rd from a field of 120 at the $6.5 million event, which benefits Woods’ charity foundation.
The 38-year-old American was trying to shake the rust off his game ahead of the British Open in three weeks at Royal Liverpool, where he won the Claret Jug in 2006.
“I’m very excited to play that golf course,” he said. “We’ll see what happens when we get there.”
Woods admitted he had been worried about how his body would react to swinging the driver at full speed.
“The fact that I was able to hit it that hard was very encouraging, and not to have any setbacks at all and I was able to shape it both ways, was nice.”
Woods finished 13 strokes adrift of co-leaders Marc Leishman and Oliver Goss of Australia and Patrick Reed and Ricky Barnes of the US.
“Seeing your name atop the board only in my second week as a pro gave me some confidence as I finished out the round,” said Goss. “I feel really great about my game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2014.