COURTSIDE

For Woods, there is no middle ground, and his teeming fans will be glad to note that he’s looking forward to teeing off with Simpson and controversial Ryder Cup partner Patrick Reed today. He has declared himself in the pink of health and fit to contend, in and of themselves enough reason for bookies to hedge against him running the table. As far as they’re concerned, he continues to possess the unique blended of talent, creativity, and in-the-clutch shotmaking to take the measure of younger, fitter, and supposedly superior competition.