Woods: British Open best shot at major
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland – Tiger Woods doesn't feel as old at the oldest championship in golf.
Back at the British Open for the first time in three years, Woods broke from his tradition on Tuesday morning. Instead of being among the first on the tee for practice, he didn't show up at Carnoustie until his news conference just before lunch. Then, he played nine holes with Masters champion Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau.
This was not a case of a 42-year-old needing his rest.
Entering the year having not played any major since the end of 2015 and the start of three back surgeries, Woods has been feeling better as 2018 has gone on. And there's something about links golf that inspires him.
"It's my favorite type of golf to play," Woods said. "I love playing here, this type of links golf, or a style of links golf down on the Aussie sand belt ... because it is creative. We're not going to get the most perfect bounces. And I think that's the fun challenge of it."
He made his links debut at Carnoustie in 1995 as an amateur at the Scottish Open, a week before his British Open debut at St. Andrews. He hasn't contended on the back nine in the previous Opens at Carnoustie, in 1999 and 2007, though he wasn't far from a playoff.
Might this be his best shot at winning another major?
"Not to be smart, but it is the next major I'm playing," Woods said with a laugh.
But over time, he thinks it might be his best chance because of history. Woods recalls 53-yearold Greg Norman playing in the final group at Royal Birkdale in 2008, a major Woods missed because of knee surgery.