I was 1,200 in the world … but I WILL win again
TIGER ADMITS HIS NEAR-MISS AT THE OPEN STILL STINGS
TIgER WOODS retreated to the Swiss mountains following his near miss at the Open, accompanied by his latest squeeze Erica, his two kids Charlie and Sam, and the lingering feeling of irritation that the Claret Jug was not also along for the hike.
‘I said at the time it would sting for a while, and that has certainly proved the case,’ said the 42-yearold, regarding his tied-sixth finish at Carnoustie, where he led with eight holes to play.
‘We had a great time hiking, touring Switzerland and just enjoying being in one another’s company. But there was also some reflection on the fact that I had a great chance at winning, and the mistakes I made at 11 and 12 that cost me my chance.’
Woods returns to action today at Firestone, one of his favourite tour stops where he is an eighttime winner of the Bridgestone Invitational. He admitted his expectations had changed over the course of a remarkable summer. From just being grateful to play and compete again, the old winning feeling was returning.
‘When you think I was about 1,200th in the world last December and now I’m 50th, that’s a good accomplishment,’ he said. ‘My game has improved to the point where I believe I will win again.’
His rising confidence stems from the fact that there appear no more physical issues to worry about. Woods has committed to play four events in the next five weeks and has no fears should it prove to be seven out of nine if he gets into the final PgA Tour play- off event followed by the Ryder Cup.
With just this event and next week’s US PgA Championship to go before the eight automatic slots for the American team are finalised — captain Jim Furyk will then name four wildcards next month — Woods said he was focused only on rising a further 12 places from his position of 20th and making the team by right.
Asked to assess his position wearing his vice-captain’s hat, he smiled and said: ‘What’s the word I’m looking for? Yes, trending.’
Another who is unquestionably trending is the man who did end up with the Claret Jug, Francesco Molinari. He also went on a family holiday last week, to the Bahamas, and on the plane got a taste of how life has changed when the pilot and his flight crew asked for a photo with the Italian and his gleaming silver trophy.
‘I can see already that the win has taken me to a different dimension,’ said the 35-year-old, part of a glittering field here including all of the world’s top 50.