Woods surprised to be a contender at last two majors
Tiger Woods admitted he never imagined being in contention in consecutive golf majors after threatening to pull off one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time in the US PGA Championship.
Woods underwent spinal fusion surgery in April last year and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence the following month. The 42-year-old, who had five prescription drugs in his system, later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and will spend a year on probation and undergo a diversion programme.
Woods returned to competitive golf only nine months ago but held a one-shot lead with eight holes to play at the Open at Carnoustie and finished just two behind Brooks Koepka after a thrilling final round of 64 at Bellerive Country Club.
“I was in contention in the last two majors and would never have foreseen that a year ago and I’m just so thankful to be here,” Woods said.
“I didn’t know what my schedule would be. I didn’t know how many tournaments I would play this year, or if I would even play. So each tournament brought about its own challenges.
“At the beginning of the year, if you would say I would have a legit chance to win the last two major championships, I’d say with what swing? I didn’t have a swing at the time. I had no speed. My putting was OK, but God, I hadn’t played in two years. So it’s been a hell of a process, for sure.”
Woods began the final round four shots behind Koepka and closed to within a shot three times but Koepka crucially birdied the 15th and 16th before a wayward drive on the parfive 17th cost Woods the chance of a birdie himself.
“I was pretty ticked at the British Open,” Woods added. “I had the lead there. This one, I never quite got to the lead. I was always trailing. I had to keep making birdies. I had to go get it and I tried.
“The drive on 17 . . . I didn’t drive it good all day. I was struggling with my golf swing. I warmed up hitting it left, I was hitting it right. So I knew this was going to be a struggle to try and piece together a round and I did.” that performance as well. It’s all well saying they didn’t have the belief, but at the end of the day, you’re wearing the Silver Fern, you’re going out on the court to be the best you can be and that’s irrespective of what happened off the court.”
Willering, who led New Zealand to a silver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, said she wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple of young talents — such as shooters Aliyah Dunn (Central Pulse) and Jen O’Connell (Southern Steel), who outshone more celebrated opponents in the ANZ Premiership — named in the squad but said experience still mattered most.
“They [new players] may make the trial but I cannot see them making a starting line-up, that’s something that has to be earned,” Willering said.
“I wouldn’t want to just throw these youngsters to play against the likes of Australia, England and South Africa.
“Nothing beats experience . . . you will always need that mix of youth and experience but I would always go for experience any time playing against those top nations.”
The mooted return of Casey Kopua more than three years after her last test, as well as the possibility of seeing 70-cap veteran Laura Langman in the black dress again should give fans hope, Willering said.
“Casey would add a lot of, not just experience . . . just having her around would make a difference.
“Even Laura Langman would make a tremendous difference. She’s been there, she’s done that, knows what it takes and she would lift those around her as well.”
The Sunshine Coast Lightning’s Noeline Taurua is believed to have agreed terms to replace Southby as head coach, with the announcement delayed by her team’s finals run in Australia’s Super Netball competition.