Tiger ready to put bad rap to rest
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Six years have passed yet the memory still irks Tiger Woods.
In 2012, the last time Woods played in the Ryder Cup, the Americans squandered the largest lead ever held by a team playing on home soil, a 10-6 advantage on the last day that dissolved into a devastating defeat at Medinah Country Club north of Chicago.
Woods was playing in the final singles match and was standing in the 18th fairway when Martin Kaymer’s putt clinched Europe’s custody of the Cup.
“It was tough watching them celebrate when I thought we should have won that one,” Woods said. “It's a tough situation. It's tough as a team, it's tough for our captain, it's tough for everyone involved not to have won the Cup because that's the ultimate goal.”
Woods has had a lot of tough times listening to celebrations in the Ryder Cup. He’s been on only one winning team. That was in 1999, when the Americans stormed back from a 10-6 deficit. He’s been on the losing side in 1997, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012.
“Looking back on my entire Ryder Cup career, that's not something that I have really enjoyed or liked seeing,” Woods said. “My overall Ryder Cup record, not having won as a player since 1999, is something that hopefully we can change. We haven't won as a U.S. squad here in 25 years on foreign soil, so hopefully that will change this week, as well.”
He’s in form to help the U.S. do just that. Woods couldn’t feel any better than he does ahead of the 42nd playing of the Ryder Cup beginning Friday at Le Golf National southwest of Paris. He’s coming off one of his most cherished victories — his 80th PGA Tour title and first since 2013 coming in last week’s Tour Championship — a remarkable achievement following spinal fusion surgery 18 months ago.
His game is dialed in, with five top-6 finishes in his last eight starts, a stretch that has moved him to No. 13 in the world rankings.
Chip shots
❚ Tickets are on sale for the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open, set for Jan. 28-Feb. 3 at TPC Scottsdale. General admission tickets are priced at $45 for Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; $60 for Friday and Saturday. Monday’s pro-am and Tuesday practice rounds are free. Information: wmphoenixopen.com
❚ Four Valley junior golfers are playing alongside PGA Tour Champions pros this week at the Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills in California. Participating are Jack Breidenbach of Phoenix, Taylor Harvey of Cave Creek, Michelle Koo of Scottsdale and Mika Miyata of Chandler, all of whom are members of Youth on Course, an initiative that allows players to golf at participating courses for $5.