‘He’s not Superman’
this stage I think everyone should just be grateful that he’s here, that he’s alive, that his kids haven’t lost their dad.
“That’s the most important thing. Golf is so far from the equation right now, it’s not even on the map at this point. He’s got some pretty bad injuries but he’s going to be okay.
“Hopefully he comes back and is able to play but if he’s not, I think he’ll still be a part of the game in some way.
“It may be the end of seeing the genius at work with a club in his hand but there’s still a lot of other ways that he can affect the game in a great way.”
If Woods is able to engineer a successful return to the golf course it would make for a remarkable postscript to an incredible career. But for Mcilroy, even if he does not, he will lay claim to the greatest comeback in sporting history.
“I had lunch with Tiger in April 2017, just after he had the spinal fusion operation and he worked his way from hardly being able to walk or stand to being able to get his game back into shape to win the Masters two years later,” said Mcilroy.
“I don’t think people to this day realise the struggle and the things he had to deal with to get to that point to win Augusta in 2019.
“I don’t want to take anything away from what Ben Hogan did after his car crash or any of the other comebacks that athletes have had in other sports but right now I can’t think of any greater comeback.”
ANTHONY JOSHUA has taunted rival Tyson Fury by telling him to come fight “the boss”.
The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion has confirmed talks are progressing well with the WBC title holder for an undisputed clash in June.
But he could not stop himself from having a little dig at his British rival.
Joshua (right) said: “We’re working on a date for around June. So if Tyson is serious, which I think he is, he’ll know where to come and find the boss.”
The two issues to be resolved when a deal is struck are the venue and the broadcasters of the clash on either side of the Atlantic.
Saudi Arabia remains the favourite to host the bout despite Covid-19 restrictions due to be lifted in the UK in June.
Joshua added: “Any option. Home turf, Middle East, my back garden, your back garden. I don’t mind where it is.”
Fury has not fought since he beat Deontay Wilder last February and admitted his inactivity could hamper his chances in June.
He said: “If this Joshua fight happens, that will be a year and six months out of the ring, which is not ideal preparation for any superfight.”
by ROB COLE
SWANSEA COVENTRY
BEN CABANGO put Swansea back on the title trail as he soared highest to claim a second-half winner.
Until the defender’s bullet header, the Swans – unbeaten at home since October 17 – coughed and spluttered in the wake of their shock 4-1 battering at Huddersfield on Saturday.
In a first half that only contained two shots on target they were knocking out of their normal rhythm by Mark Robins’ aggressive Coventry.
The Sky Blues started the second half brightly and Sam Mccallum flashed a shot just wide of the mark. Then the deadlock was finally broken after 54 minutes.
Yan Dhanda won a corner and a superb delivery from Conor Hourihane allowed Cabango to head home to the relief of boss Steve Cooper.
He said: “We were the team who created the real chances in the game, although ironically we scored from a set play. It was a wonderful delivery and a good header from Ben.”
THOMAS TUCHEL arrived at Chelsea with a reputation for being a difficult personality.
But after a flying start to his Stamford Bridge revolution, the German boss has shown the players that he is anything but.
In fact, Tuchel’s facial expressions are easy to read and tell the players all they need to know, according to Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
The new manager has quickly become known for being full of smiles, encouragement and positivity on the training pitch.
Chelsea have played eight games, won six, drawn two while scoring 10 goals and conceding just two since he took charge at the end of January.
They have stormed up the Premier League table and back into contention for the top four which was beginning to look difficult in the final days of Frank Lampard’s reign.
But a different voice also inspired Chelsea to their best result to date, which came with their 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid which makes them favourites to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014.
Mendy said: “The coach gives confidence to all the players. We know what he wants so when we are on the pitch we have to show why he’s chosen us.
“It’s very positive for all the players because he gives us a lot of confidence and we need to improve and to play great football when we are on the pitch.
“He is very expressive. He shows when he likes something. When you did well on the pitch and every day at training and in the game he pushes you. He stays positive but he also shows his determination and that is good for me and the team.”
Tuchel admitted when he took over that he needed to “improve” and stop falling out with clubs, as things ended badly at Dortmund and with the sack at PSG.
But Tuchel has been a surprise and very different to that perception – joking his way through press conferences while revealing a lighter side away from the pitch as he says he wants to explore London’s book and coffee shops.
The mood has definitely changed at the club and has left the players believing they can kick on, starting with Sunday’s game against Manchester United.
But Mendy also wants to finish the job against Atletico and climb the table.
He added: “We work for that.
“We work to win every game. Yes, we are still near the top of the league, we have a second leg against Atletico and yes, we want more. To win every game. And we are working for that. “Man United is a very tough game. We play at Stamford Bridge so we have to show that we want to win this game because it’s really important for the
league.”
JOE ROOT begged for consistency as his side were put to the sword by India yesterday.
England were skittled for 112 on the first day of the third Test, despite winning the toss in Ahmedabad.
Zak Crawley (inset) top-scored with 53 and India reached 99-3 in reply but not without controversy.
Root went to see the match referee at the close, after the third umpire twice refused to do his job thoroughly.
The skipper could be heard on the stump mics imploring the officials to be more thorough with the replays of England appeals.
But his pleas fell on deaf ears when third umpire