TIGER RETURN WILL BE JOR-DROPPING
Stoked Spieth insists having Woods back makes 2018 a huge season for golf
JORDAN SPIETH says Tiger Woods’ comeback makes it a “special time” for golf.
The world No.2 is looking forward to facing Woods – although he is yet to confirm his playing schedule for 2018, or when he will compete again.
But Spieth reckons Woods’ return to action at the Hero World Challenge in December after back surgery signalled he is ready.
Woods, a 14-time Major champion, briefly held the second-round lead and finished ninth. He now plans a full playing schedule and Spieth said: “It is a pretty special time to be a part of professional golf.
“The confidence he is talking with, and the place he is at in his life, he is in the best position he has been in a few years to come back and be a regular out here competing.
“Realistically, I can say based on what it does for ratings – what it does for maybe a non-golfer’s interest in golf – it’s got to be at the forefront of the excitement this year.”
Spieth, the only player other than Woods with 10 PGA Tour victories before the age of 24, is playing this weekend in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
“Obviously the major question is, what’s it going to be like with Tiger coming back?” he added. “We don’t exactly know yet.”
Woods turned 42 last weekend and celebrated by hunting fish with a spear gun.
And Spieth, who proposed to his long-term girlfriend Anne Verret recently, says he wants to retain the Open title he won in July at Royal Birkdale (above) in Carnoustie.
He added: “The Open just did wonders for me. I’m the one out there putting it on the line every week. I’m going to fail and learn. “I’m going to succeed. But I’m the one in the arena. “There are going to be critics and people who disagree with the way you do things but I think I’m in a great place. “Starting 2018, I’m ready for anything. I’m ready for failure, success and everything in between. “I was confident this past winter. It was a good off-season. It was a fantastic year, 2017 was very memorable.” He is looking forward to battling Woods and big guns Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. Spieth said: “With the amount of depth and talent at a younger age mixed with the guys in their 30s that are playing great, it is very exciting going into 2018.”