Tiger has eye on Greenbrier rebound

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — In its infancy, The Greenbrier Classic was friendly to firsttime winners and reenergized the careers of veterans who had been stuck in a rut.

Tiger Woods will take anything positive at this point.

Woods failed to advance to weekend play in his only other appearance in West Virginia in 2012 and, starting Thursday, he will try to avoid missing the cut in consecutive tournaments for the first time in 21 years. In 1994, he failed to advance to the weekend in all three PGA Tour events he entered.

Woods, who is getting ready for the British Open in two weeks at St. Andrews, has broken 70 only twice in 16 rounds this season.

“I’ve gone through stretches like this,” Woods said after his proam round Wednesday on the eve of the tournament on the Old White TPC course.

After posting the highest 36hole score (156) of his pro career and missing the cut at the U.S. Open two weeks ago, Woods took his children to the Bahamas for snorkeling.

“I didn’t touch a club for a while,” Woods said. “It was nice to have a summer break with them like that, especially after the way I played.”

Bubba Watson wouldn’t mind more rest after a grueling playoff win last week at the Travelers Championship. He admits sleep is high on his priority list.

“I’m tired,” Watson said. “I’m worn out. Mentally, the energy level is just not there.”

The Greenbrier also was the playground of the late Sam Snead, who had a 47year association as golf pro and pro emeritus. Snead holds the record of 82 career PGA Tour wins. Woods has been stuck on 79 since 2013, when he won five times.

While Woods’ game may not be in top shape at the moment, his will remains strong.

“I would love to break his record,” Woods said of Snead. “I mean, that’s one of the hallowed records in our sport. Hopefully, I can get that done in the near future.”