ROARING SUCCESS
Faldo: I didn’t think Tiger had a hope in hell of winning a Major.. he does and it would be the greatest comeback
SIR NICK FALDO insisted Tiger Woods will win another Major after the American’s thrilling run at the US PGA.
The former world No.1 shot a closing 64 – his lowest final round in a Major – to finish second to Brooks Koepka.
Wearing red on the final day (below, right) as he nailed eight birdies, it was just like the old days. US TV ratings were up 69 per cent on last year with Tiger in the hunt.
And Faldo said Woods, 42, will add a 15th Major title after four back operations since his last triumph, at the 2008 US Open (right at that year’s US PGA).
“I didn’t think he had a hope in hell of winning another Major,” admitted the triple Open champion. “And now you have to say he does. You have to applaud his efforts.
“His determination to get back and all his efforts is incredible. He now knows he can win again.
“This is the greatest comeback in golf. If he wins again, it would be the greatest comeback in sport.”
Woods, looking certain to be named a wild card for next month’s Ryder Cup, recorded his first top-five Major finish since the 2013 Masters despite hitting just 32 of 56 fairways and being three over after his first two holes. His total of 266 was three better than his previous best, the 2000 Open at St Andrews. Koepka, 28, has won three of the last six Majors he has played – a record comparable to Woods in his pomp. But the back-to-back US Open champion from Florida carries a chip on both his chiselled shoulders for a perceived lack of respect and recognition. After his third round, the body builder and new world No.2 told how he went to a gym with his friend Dustin Johnson–and no one knew him. “I use it as motivation,” he said. “You can’t hide my name when you’re top of the leaderboard.”