Tiger’s mind on birdies, not 15th major win
TIGER WOODS wouldn’t even contemplate how it would feel to win his 15th major title, his first in more than a decade, after leaping into contention at the PGA Championship. The 42year-old former world No. 1 fired a 4under 66 the third round at Belleville Country Club to share sixth on 8t-under 202, four back of leader Brooks Koepka after 54 holes.
“A long way to go before that happens,” Woods said when asked about a 15th major title.
“I’ve got to shoot a low round and hopefully it will be enough.”
Eight months into his comeback from spinal fusion surgery, Woods has shown moments of the form that once dominated the sport. And while he draws huge crowds, he hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open or any event in five years.
Woods birdied five of his first eight holes but closed with 10 pars and while he has never won a major he didn’t lead after 54 holes, he has battled enough to know what he must do on a back nine where he’s shooting only two-over par this week.
“Not just myself, but everyone’s going to have to shoot low rounds,” Woods said.
“It’s soft, it’s gettable and you can’t just go out there and make a bunch of pars. You’re going to have to make some birdies.”
Woods, whose back pain was so bad he once wondered if he might ever have a normal life much less play golf again, was thrilled at his birdie binge early.
“It was fun. I got off to a good start,” he said.
“That was nice to be able to do something like that.
“I just wish I could have got myself a couple more shots closer to the lead... but there aren’t a lot of guys up there in front of me.” – AFP challenge me.”
Koepka, who missed the Masters with a left wrist injury, could become only the fifth player to win the US Open and PGA Championship in the same year, the first since Woods in 2000.
Aussies Scott and Day were playing with their thoughts on Jarrod Lyle, the Aussie golfer who died on Wednesday after a long battle with leukemia.
“It has been a very difficult week,” Scott said. “We’re all sending our thoughts back to his family in Australia.”
Hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy could be a major tribute as well.
“I’m playing some good golf. I just need to shoot a lot one to try to get these guys. The course is gettable if you’re shooting from the fairways,” Scott said.
Woods has not won any event since the 2013 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, although he led late on Sunday in last month’s British Open.
“I’m tired. It just takes a lot out of you,” Woods said.
“I played 29 holes in the heat. It takes it out of you not just physically but mentally.” – AFP