Tiger’s back . . . now for the Masters
Two weeks after another injury scare and two days before his former coach’s controversial book goes on sale, Tiger Woods looked as dominant as ever in that red shirt yesterday in winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Wearing a yellow duck pin in his cap in honour of Australian tour pro Jarrod Lyle, who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia for a second time, Woods closed with a twounder 70 for a five-shot win over Northern Ireland’s Graeme Mcdowell.
It was Woods’ first PGA Tour victory since the sex scandal at the end of 2009 that led to one of the greatest downfalls in sport.
With the Masters only two weeks away, Woods looks more capable of resuming his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record in the majors.
The question two weeks ago was when he could play again. Now, it’s whether he can get back to being the player who once ruled golf.
Bookies had their own answer. Betfair immediately slashed Woods’ odds to win the Masters from US$7.20 to US$5.10, leapfrogging Rory Mcilroy to be favourite.
Even though he won the unofficial Chevron World Challenge in December, this was mean- ingful for Woods – a full tour event against a strong field, and a performance so clean that he was never seriously challenged on the back nine. The only thing missing was the host himself.
Palmer’s blood pressure increased during the final round from new medications and he was taken to the hospital as a precaution just before the tournament ended.
Woods finished at 13-under 275 for his 72nd PGA Tour win, one short of Nicklaus for second place on the career list. However, that is not the record Woods wants. He has 14 majors, four short of the Nicklaus standard, and will try to end a four-year drought at the Masters, which starts on April 6 (NZ time). ‘‘I am excited, no doubt,’’ Woods said. ‘‘I’m looking forward to the momentum I’ve built here. It is all coming together at the right time.’’
It was the first time Woods had all four rounds under par since returning from his personal crisis at the 2010 Masters.
‘‘I am thankful for a lot of people helping me out. You all know who you are. It has been tough,’’ Woods said.
Only two weeks ago, Woods was taken off Doral in the middle of the final round with tightness in his left Achilles tendon, the same injury that caused him to miss three months’ play last year, including two majors.
It turned out to be a mild strain, and yesterday was the eighth straight day that Woods played golf.