CUDDLY TIGER
Intense rivalry is thing of the past for big pals Woods and Mickelson
THE new Tiger Woods laughs, smiles and even politely fends away questions about his post-scandal Masters return in 2010.
“Certainly I learned a lot, and it’s certainly helped me in my life and my career,” he said without deploying his old press conference death stare.
But yesterday at the Masters there was even starker evidence that the 14time Major champion is a changed man. He played his first ever practice round at Augusta with fellow champion and former foe Phil Mickelson – and both loved every minute.
The iconic image of the USA’s car-crash 2004 Ryder Cup in Detroit was Woods’ face on the 18th tee when Mickelson carved his 3-wood against a fence.
The chill between the fierce rivals was enough to freeze the nearest water hazard.
Yesterday in the Georgia sun, Woods eagled 13 after Mickelson helped him to read his putt as the reborn dream team “shillelaghed” Fred Couples and Thomas Pieters in a money match.
They even fist-pumped when the left-hander holed a chip on the 15th green. It was all great, relaxed fun. Seven Green Jackets between them and no hard feelings.
Woods was even able to take the mick out of the 47-year-old’s choice of checked shirt with a collar.
“The only thing that was missing was a tie,” he laughed.
The 14-time Major winner added: “Our friendship has gotten stronger over the years. We have competed a lot of times coming down the stretch in events. We were joking today about some of the thoughts that transpired here.
“And I think it’s just age as well. We’re at the tail end of our careers, we both know that. He’s 47 and I’m 42, and we have had a great 20-year battle, hopefully we’ll have a few more. But we understand where we are in the game now versus where we were in our early 20s, battling for who is going to be No.1, and that was then and certainly this is now.”
Mickelson, who can beat Jack Nicklaus’ record of being the oldest ever Masters winner, said working together at the Ryder Cup had brought the two rivals closer together.
He said: “Nobody’s benefited from what he’s done for the game of golf more than I have.
“I’ve always had that appreciation and respect for him. To see him back out playing is incredible. We all feel that.
“I want him to play well, and I’m excited to see him play so well. And he is playing well.” Woods is paired with England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aussie Marc Leishman.
Fleetwood (above) said: “He was in his pomp when I was growing up.
“A few years on and I get to play with him and I don’t think you can get a better draw than Tiger at the Masters.
“Just to see his return to form and the hype around golf is brilliant for the sport.
“And it is brilliant for the people who have grown up watching him play.”