Tiger’s tail is thrilling fans again

TIGER WOODS reckons he is now a sentimental crowd favourite because fans can relate to his comeback at the “tail end” of his career.

The former world No.1 will contest the FedEx playoffs for the first time since 2013 when he tees up at The Northern Trust in New Jersey tomorrow.

The American has been in contention on the final days of the Open and the USPGA amid raucous crowd support desperate to see a fairy-tale 15th Major victory.

And Woods, who was a relentless winning machine at the peak of his career, said: “This entire year has been so different. I have had excitement and people into it over the years but this has been so different.

“I guess everyone knows I have struggled. I have had some back pain, had four surgeries and worked my way back. It has been tough.

Wayward

many more years I have left. I am certainly not like I was at 22. At 42 it is a different ball game.

“People understand that to try and compete against the younger generation, in whatever you do, it gets more difficult.

“Unfortunately I have got to know a lot of them (the fans) because I have hit a lot of wayward balls!

“I have signed a lot more gloves than I have in the past.”

Like Woods, Swedish star Henrik Stenson will need a wildcard to play in the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris next month after pulling out of the Northern Trust with an elbow injury.