Tiger tamer Brooks says he’s ‘sorry’
first nine appearances. His life and golf has changed since then with the young generation adding gymfuelled distance and Woods undergoing four back operations.
Jack Nicklaus revealed this week Woods is still suffering from neck problems while his fused back limits his practice time. But he shot a 65 after three-putting the
first green on a said: ‘Yeah, but you don’t have to play perfect.’
“If you’re smart and know how to play the golf course, you’re going to have a chance to make pars or even birdies from some situations that you think you wouldn’t be able to. practice round here last week – and he will be a factor this week if his flat-stick works.
Asked if he felt like he needed to win here again or just wanted to win again, Woods smiled: “I don’t really need to win again. I really want to. Was there a time I needed to win?
“Yeah. There were a couple of events over the course of my career Major championship-wise I needed to win.
“One, don’t blow the lead I had in ‘97, because of what just happened the previous year when Greg Norman lost a six-shot lead. And then to win here in ‘01 to complete all four in a row, that’s never been done.”
Nike’s star attraction wore a shirt with the logo of his head cover Frank – and will wear a “mock” on game days.
“It was a pretty neat look back in the day,” he said. “I won events wearing the mock, you’ll see it on Thursday.” Even Tiger, when he shot 18 under in 1997, made mistakes.
“It’s about knowing that mistakes are going to happen. You just need to minimise those mistakes, be smart, and think your way through Augusta.” BROOKS KOEPKA apologised for “stopping history” and Tiger Woods at the US PGA last year – but insisted his fellow American will be a contender this week.
Woods shot a final round 64 at Bellerive Country Club last August, but Koepka (below) held his nerve in a frenzied atmosphere to shoot a 66 and claim his third Major title.
The world No.4, who missed the Masters last year with a wrist injury, said: “I think I already spoiled everybody’s dreams the last time we played. So, sorry.
“It would be cool to see Tiger win. I think everybody in the field would love to stop him. “I enjoyed stopping history. I had a great time. Taking myself out of it, I think it would be incredible to watch him winning a Major. It would be incredible to see. We all know he’s back. There’s no doubt about that. “He seems like he’s competing with The Open and the PGA, he’s been very close. “I wouldn’t be surprised this week if he’s knocking on the door.”