Old warhorse Woods eyes Claret Jug
Carnoustie (Scotland), July 17: Tiger Woods says the British Open represents his best chance of winning another major championship, and with some “cleaner golf ” this might be the week be breaks his decade-plus major drought.
Speaking at Carnoustie on Tuesday two days before the championship’s first round, Woods said the Open puts less emphasis on power, a good thing for a golfer entering middle age.
“You don’t have to be long to play at a links course,” said the 42-yearold, whose swing speed is still among the fastest on tour, despite his creeping age and major back surgeries. “As far as the long term, certainly I would say yes (it offers the best chance of winning another major).”
But he knows the clock is ticking and that he won’t always be able to keep up with the young bucks.
“The guys who have done well have been wonderful feel players and also wonderful lag putters,” he said, citing Tom Watson, who nearly won the Open at age 59 in 2009, and Greg Norman, who contended at Birkdale the year before at 53. It (winning in your 50s) certainly can be done. You get to places like Augusta National (site of the Masters) and it’s just a big ballpark and the course outgrows you, unfortunately.
“But links-style golf you can roll the ball, so distance becomes a moot point. Creativity plays such an important role.”
Woods will use a new twoiron this week to plot his way around Carnoustie, which remains rock hard and parched, despite a spot of light rain on Tuesday. ROSE READY TO
BLOOM Justin Rose says he can repel the host of young Americans who hold all the major golf titles and claim The Open crown this week despite a mediocre record. The 37-year-old Englishman — whose best finish in his home major remains his astonishing fourth in 1998 when still an amateur — is in fine fettle heading into Thursday’s opening round.
He tied for ninth at last weekend’s Scottish Open, which was his 17th top 10 finish — including four wins — since the US PGA Championship last August.
Thus the reigning Olympic champion is in an ebullient mood about his chances of holding aloft the Claret Jug come Sunday.
“Yes! I like this golf course, it is a fair one,” he replied at a press conference about winning the title. — Agencies