WHAT’S UP WITH LESSER SPOTTED TIGER
PAUL McGinley believes ‘something must be amiss’ with Tiger Woods for him to play only 10 competitive rounds of golf between the Masters three months ago and the British Open.
The former Ryder Cup captain ensured that the disturbingly light schedule will remain a focal point at Woods’ press conference today, with some strong remarks about the 15-time major champion’s lack of competition.
“I just don’t know what’s going on with Tiger,” said the Irishman. “His schedule doesn’t make a lot of sense. I don’t know where he is with his fitness, his health and his family, but it doesn’t add up to play so little. It’s easy to think that something must be amiss.”
Does McGinley, one of the lead analysts at the Open for Sky Sports, agree with fellow analyst Paul Azinger that Woods is still drained by his Augusta heroics? “I don’t know about that,” said the Dubliner. “Winning shouldn’t take that much out of you. It should excite you.
“That’s why I can’t figure out playing just one tournament outside the majors since the Masters. Wouldn’t you want to keep riding that wave? Is he giving himself the best opportunity to win? You have to say no.
“As great a competitor as he is, you still need to cut your teeth in between majors to get ready and he’s chosen not to do that. If you look at Tiger before the Masters, he was well prepared. He played quite a bit and that’s why he won. Even when you’re one of the best competitors that sport has ever seen, you still have to compete.”
On Sunday, Woods took the opposite view, insisting that “taking long breaks is great for my golf,” but there might be a more detailed explanation today.
After getting his first look at Portrush on Sunday, Woods did at least look more refreshed as he played another 18 alongside fellow Americans Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
The main talking point was the draw and Tiger will have plenty of time to get warmed up for his first round. He tees off at 3.10pm in the company of rising Englishman Matt Wallace and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed.