Tiger’s back

> Excitement builds over Woods’ return

the 2008 US Open, hasn’t won a tournament since the 2013 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, hasn’t played in a major since missing the cut at the 2015 PGA Championship and last won the Masters in 2005.

“I’m just really looking forward to playing,” Woods said. “It’s the bestrun tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere – it’s a golfers heaven.”

A streak of 12 rounds at par or better has shown Woods has regained his health. This week will tell if he has found the form that made him a global superstar.

“It’s a lot different

than the first two comebacks. He wasn’t ready,” said Australia’s Jason Day. “He came back too soon. Now he’s hitting it longer than before.” That’s part of the reason some oddsmakers have made Woods the tournament favorite. “That’s kind of funny,” Woods said. “Six months ago the odds were I wasn’t even going to play.” Woods faces a world-class field with several top rivals playing their best as well. Multiple major winners Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson plus 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas have won Masters tuneup events and reigning British Open champion Jordan Spieth, the 2015 US Open and Masters winner who was third Sunday at Houston, is peaking at the perfect time. “I’ve made some big strides from my past couple of tournaments. I’m very excited for what next week holds,” Spieth said. – AFP