Beware! Tiger licks his lips at regaining that old feeling
carnoustie — Tiger Woods may have had to watch playing partner Francesco Molinari lift The Claret Jug after winning the British Open but all his rivals will have taken note of the American’s return to form.
The 42-year-old American legend — beset by personal problems and back issues for most of the last decade after once dominating the sport — threatened a shock victory at Carnoustie when, halfway through his final round, he led while most of his rivals were shedding shots.
However, it proved to be a false dawn as three dropped shots in two holes saw him fall behind and in the end the 14-time major winner was being consoled by his two children.
Despite his disappointment, Woods — without a win in five years and with his last victory in a major a decade ago — says he felt he can still be a force at the highest level.
“Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah,” said Woods, who finished the tournament finished tied for sixth, three shots behind playing partner Molinari. “It did. It did. It didn’t feel any different to be next to the lead and knowing what I need to do.”
Woods had placed himself with a great chance after a fabulous 66 on Saturday, but still rued a missed opportunity. “I’ve done it so many different ways. It didn’t feel any different,” said Woods.
“It felt great to be a part of the mix and build my way into the championship.”
Woods said he had enjoyed himself on the course with his round only slightly blighted by one spectator yelling out as he addressed his drive at the 18th.
Woods admitted earlier in the week the latest back operation he underwent in April 2017 had left him wondering whether he had played his last British Open, a tournament he won in 2000, 2005 and 2006.
“I know it’s going to sting for a little bit but given where I was to where I am now, (I feel) blessed,” he said after Sunday’s round.
The “where I was” referred to the years of debilitating back pain finally solved by a spinal fusion 15 months ago that allowed him to resume his career after four years of severely-curtailed appearances.
For the first time Woods’s two young children were totally aware of what he was doing out on the course. “I told them I tried, and I said, ‘Hopefully you’re proud of your pops for trying as hard as I did’, he said. “It’s pretty emotional because they gave me some pretty significant hugs there and squeezed.
“They know how good it feels to be back playing again. It’s so special to have them aware because I’ve won a lot of golf tournaments in my career but they don’t remember any of them.
“The only thing they’ve seen is my struggles and the pain I was going through. Now they just want to go play soccer with me. Man, it’s such a great feeling,” added Woods. —
It felt great to be a part of the mix and build my way into the championship Tiger Woods