Woods not giving up hope of eclipsing Nicklaus’ record
It might take some time, but Tiger Woods still believes he will surpass the record 18 major titles won by Jack Nicklaus, even though the former world No 1 has been sidelined from competition for more than a year due to a chronic back injury.
Now 40, Woods is in the twilight of his career and has been stalled on 14 major victories since his remarkable triumph at the 2008 US Open. But in an interview taped for broadcast on PBS on Thursday, he expressed confidence about his playing future .
According to an excerpt from the interview with talk show host Charlie Rose, when asked if he believed he will end up with more than 18 major titles, Woods replied: “Correct”.
When Rose followed up with: “And if you don’t, you will say?”, Woods responded: “I didn’t get there.”
Earlier in his one-on-one conversation with Rose, Woods was playful with some of his responses.
When Rose initially asked him if he thought he would get 18 major wins, Woods replied: “To be honest with you, no.”
But when Rose said: “You’ve accepted that?”, Woods replied with a laugh: “I’ve accepted I’m going to get more (than 18).”
The interview marked the first comments made by Woods since he announced his withdrawal from the PGA Tour’s Safeway Open in California last week.
Woods had been hoping to make his tournament come- back after 14 months out of action following back surgeries, but in a surprise reversal he said his game was not sharp enough for him to compete in the Oct 13-16 event in Napa.
Woods also told Rose he hopes to make his competitive return at the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge in Albany (Bahamas) from Dec 1-4.
“You know, I miss being out there,” said Woods.
“I miss competing. I miss mixing it up with the boys and coming down the stretch.”
Woods has not played on the PGA Tour since August 2015, having undergone surgeries in September and again in October of that year due to ongoing back problems.
The best players from the Asian Tour, including Order of Merit leader Scott Hend of Australia, will be in Shanghai for the World Golf ChampionshipsHSBC Champions next week.
The year’s final WGC event offers $9.5 million in prize money for a star-studded international field that includes eight of the world’s top 10 players at Sheshan International Golf Club.
Hend will spearhead the Asian Tour charge alongside compatriot Marcus Fraser, Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun and Philippines Miguel Tabuena at the Shanghai showpiece from Oct 27-30.
Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee,