Furyk backing Tiger to shine

– Playing in the Ryder Cup is the culmination of an amazing comeback season for Tiger Woods (above), one the 14-time Major champion feared might never happen after back surgery.

The 42-year-old American has shown flashes of the form that made him golf’s dominant player in younger days in his first campaign after spinal fusion surgery, a last-gasp operation to try and extend his legendary career.

Woods said: “I tried everything else because fusion is the lastditch effort and nothing beyond that. So I didn’t know what my playing career would be like. This is all uncharted territory.”

So far his performances are steadily improving and the medical charts are showing no back issues after years of nagging problems.

Woods has hit drives longer than his youthful days, led the British Open in the final round in July, finished second in last month’s PGA Championship and fired a 62 earlier this month, his lowest US PGA opening round since the 1999 Byron Nelson Classic.

And the former world No 1 achieved his goal of securing a Ryder Cup captain’s pick from Jim Furyk, who pulled him from a planned assistant captain’s role after seeing the quality of his game.

Woods still hasn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open and hasn’t won any event in more than five years, but has rediscovered the joy of playing after fears it might never happen again.

“It’s about enjoying being back,” Woods said. “Enjoying being able to play golf again. Competing at this level. All of these things at the beginning of the year were all unknowns. It has been one of my best years as a whole.”

Now Woods, who has won 79 career PGA titles, hasn’t given up his quest to reach the record 18 Major wins of Jack Nicklaus or Sam Snead’s all-time PGA mark of 82.

“I feel my next wins are coming soon. I’m putting myself in tournaments now so I’m not that far away from getting it done.”

Woods, whose first Major title came at the 1997 Masters, has seen huge support from crowds at events. –

Washington

I tried everything else because fusion is the last-ditch effort.

Tiger Woods Former wolrd No 1