Donald knows ‘mental anguish’ of Woods

BRITISH MASTERS host Luke Donald sympathised with the “mental anguish” long-time rival Tiger Woods is enduring after the American was forced to cancel his long-awaited comeback this week.

Woods, a 14-time major winner, announced he was not ready to return from his 14month injury layoff with a longstanding back problem as planned at the new PGA Tour season opener in California.

Former world No. 1 Donald himself struggled with a careerthreatening wrist injury in the past. “There’s a lot of mental anguish when injury forces you to take time off from the game,” said Donald.

“I was out for six months and could only start hitting balls gradually first on my short game and putting following the surgery.”

Donald picked up a left wrist injury at the US Open forcing him out for a number of months.

“Tiger’s the greatest player that’s ever played, and he’s got very, very high standards and expectations,” said 38-year-old Donald.

“I think that you have to weigh that up with that feel of almost failure or fear of anxiety of not performing well.

“You know sometimes those don’t match up.

“If Tiger Woods is healthy like he says he is, that’s probably what he’s weighing out right now, just feeling comfortable.

“Again, it’s really hard to get comfortable unless you actually put yourself through it.

“At some point he’s got to jump in, and if he messes up, he’s got a good opportunity to get better the next time he plays.” – AFP