Woods brings game and buzz to Valspar
PALM HARBOR, Fla. — Jordan Spieth is among the young stars in golf with only a glimpse, if even that, of how Tiger Woods could take control of a tournament with his game and appeal.
That moment for Spieth came in a practice round at Muirfield Village, with Woods as his teammate.
Spieth was a 20-yearold in the 2013 Presidents Cup, playing with Steve Stricker in a practice round against Woods and Matt Kuchar in a modified alternate shot.
“I stood on that tee,” Spieth said yesterday. “We were trying to get off quickly, and I remember being unbelievably nervous on that shot, and for most of the shots I hit in the round, even though it’s a practice round, and he was my teammate. They went eagle-birdie-birdie or something like that to start. I thought, ‘Man, this must be what it’s been like for the last 20 years for guys.’ ”
Spieth has played with Woods seven times since, including the third round of the British Open at Hoylake, and Woods has never had the lower score in those occasions. They play again today in the opening round of the Valspar Championship.
The setting is Woods returning to golf, and while it is nothing new now, it is no less the attraction. He has never played the Valspar Championship.
In some respects, Woods is starting over. This is his fourth tour event since returning from a fourth back surgery, and it was only six months ago that he wasn’t even certain he would play again at a high level. He is making progress. He finished 7 shots behind at Torrey Pines (a tie for 23rd) and eight 8 behind at the Honda Classic (12th).
In between, he missed the cut at Riviera, which is one reason he is at Innisbrook for the first time.
“I only got two rounds in LA. I missed the cut there,” Woods said. “I felt really strong afterward. After playing Honda and really feeling good about it, I wanted to push myself in my practice sessions, push myself in the gym a little bit. And I can handle two weeks in a row.”
He also will play next week at Bay Hill, meaning four tournaments in five weeks as he prepares for the Masters.
“I’ve only played 10 rounds,” he said. “I know people are saying that I’ve been erratic, little inconsistent. But 10 rounds, it’s not that many. That’s basically how my comeback has been so far this year. I haven’t played a lot.”
The sleepy tournament in the Florida swing suddenly has some serious star power. The field includes Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Masters champion Sergio Garcia.
Stenson will join Woods and Spieth for the opening two rounds.