All set for Tiger mania
Spieth and Mcilroy prepared for Woods supergroup frenzy
TULSA: Jordan Spieth and Rory Mcilroy will enjoy playing alongside Tiger Woods for the first two rounds of the PGA Championship despite the huge crowds and distractions their supergroup will create.
The superstar trio, with 22 Major titles between them, opens from the 10th tee at Southern Hills in what promises to be an electrifying start with extra noise, movement and distraction.
“You’ve got to embrace it and have fun and recognise these are the kind of pairings I’ll get to tell my kid about some day,” Spieth said.
“It’s pretty exciting to be able to play these events growing up with the guy that you idolised.”
Woods makes the second start of his comeback from severe leg injuries suffered in a February 2021 car crash after an emotional return at April’s Masters, where he battled through pain to walk 72 holes, spectators roaring at the feat.
“When Tiger is playing, it builds such a tremendous buzz,” Mcilroy said. “It transcends the golf world and goes into the wider world.”
Woods says he has the shotmaking to win the title if his body can stand the strain of walking 72 holes with enough endurance and stamina to be competitive at the finish.
“The desire to win is still the same,” Woods said.
“Preparation is a lot more difficult, a lot more time consuming and a lot tougher mentally.”
Three-time Major-winner Spieth would complete a career Grand Slam with a victory, while Mcilroy seeks a fifth Major title but his first since 2014.
Both understand the crowds will be drawn by Woods, the 15-time Major winner who overcame back surgery to win the 2019 Masters for his first Major triumph in 11 years.
“He’s stubborn. He’s determined,” Mcilroy said.
“He lives for these Major championships and if he believes he can get around 18 holes, he believes he can win.”
Spieth has no doubts, especially seeing Woods limp into the weekend at Augusta National while he missed the cut.
“You can’t ever doubt the man any more,” Spieth said. “He just continues to amaze people.”