Suddenly, Tiger’s on fire
British Open champion Francesco Molinari would not mind being matched up against Tiger Woods this week at the Ryder Cup while US rookie Bryson DeChambeau would not mind being paired alongside him at Le Golf National.
Woods attracted large crowds for Tuesday’s first practice round and rapt attention from other players in the biennial team showdown featuring holders the US and Europe.
For Molinari, playing 14-time major winner Woods would rematch their last-day pairing in July at Carnoustie, where the American led briefly on the back nine, only to lose to the Italian star.
It would also be a rematch of their 2012 Ryder Cup pairing, when Europe completed the Miracle at Medinah comeback win while Woods and Molinari were still on the course.
It is a heck of a thing for Molinari, who has never won a Cup match, to try to break that drought against Woods, who ended a five-year victory drought on Sunday at the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
“Yeah, I like playing with him,” Molinari said.
“It’s hard to say that you like playing with Tiger in the last match in a Ryder Cup the way it was at Medinah, because it’s pretty intense.”
Woods underwent spinal fusion surgery last year and has made an amazing comeback, finishing second in August’s PGA Championship before his breakthrough win.
“I think he really deserved it after the season he’s had,” Molinari said.
“But this week, it’s a different story, and in 18 holes, anything can happen. So if I do face him, I’ll do my best to get something out of it.”
DeChambeau, meanwhile, has been a pal of Woods for a while and they have practised together ahead of this week, serving notice that they could be a formidable combination in foursomes and four-ball.
“I don’t think it’s about any type of competition internally with the team,” DeChambeau said.
“It’s more about what we’re going to do to put the four best teams out any day we go out.
“It would be awesome to play with him. Is it going to happen? We’re working on it.”
Woods had fans racing alongside on the final hole at East Lake on Sunday and showed that he remains the game’s biggest star.
“The way the people responded to him and the excitement level, the energy that he brings, this is the best I’ve seen him swing the club, even going back to 2000, when I thought he was at his best.
“He’s striking it so solidly that nobody that has played with him was surprised he won and now that first win is out of the way, I think he’s going to start rattling off some more.”
English Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter says there is a need for a statement when playing against Woods, but he was happy to see him win.
“It’s great to have Tiger Woods playing the type of golf he’s playing because he certainly makes the Ryder Cup even more special.” –