Woods’ comeback and Spieth’s Slam quest the highlight at PGA

NEW YORK: Tiger Woods (pic) and his incredible injury comeback and Jordan Spieth’s quest for a career Grand Slam will seize the spotlight in today’s opening round of the 104th PGA Championship.

Woods, a 15-time Major champion, and three-time Major winner Spieth are grouped with four-time Major winner Rory Mcilroy in a marquee trio for the first two days at Southern Hills.

Top-ranked Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, 2021 British Open winner Collin Morikawa and second-ranked Spaniard Jon Rahm are among the most fancied players and are together as well, but might struggle to match the Woods group spectator count.

“Tiger’s here, so nobody really remembers that I’m here,” Scheffler said. “So it’s all good.”

Woods suffered severe leg injuries in a February 2021 car crash, spending weeks hospitalised and months unable to walk.

His emotional return at last month’s Masters ended with a share of 47th and a stamina struggle, but he saw walking 72 holes as a major feat and says he’s stronger as another endurance test looms.

“I’ve gotten stronger since then, but still it’s going to be sore and walking is a challenge,” Woods said.

Asked if he can win, Woods said: “I feel like I can, definitely. I just have to go out there and do it.”

Among those trying to stop him will be Rahm, who comes off a victory two weeks ago at the US PGA Tour’s Mexico Open.

“He’s Tiger. He’s a competitor,” Rahm said.

“He’s going to try to win every single time and anytime he tees up, the world wants him to win.

“Yeah, totally expected for the attention to be on him, but it doesn’t really change anything of what I want to be doing this week.”