JUSTIN STILL SEES TIGER AS FIERCE BUT FALDO ISN’T SO SURE
JUSTIN THOMAS reckons Tiger Woods can defy the crock and win his fourth Open event.
But former champ Nick Faldo insists the comeback superstar has no chance of glory at St Andrews.
Woods prowled all 18 holes of the Old Course as his build-up to The 150th
Championship gathers pace.
He and Thomas were out until just before 11pm on Saturday night with just a handful of short clubs practising in the gloom.
But the pals were back at 8.30am sharp yesterday morning to complete a full round over five hours in front of the Fife public. Woods looked in some discomfort as he walked.
But there was no restriction in the swing with some outstanding shots.
The 46-year-old still has plenty of power as he drove the final green after a brilliant shot.
Thomas believes Woods,
who will play this afternoon at 5.05pm in the R&A Celebration of Champions in a group containing Rory McIlroy, Lee Trevino and Georgia Hall, looks capable of contending for a third win at St Andrews.
He said: “His swing still looks as good as ever, it does. Would I be surprised if he challenged this week? No.
“I’ve learned better than to challenge anything about him.”
Woods will be playing in just his third event of the 2022 season as he continues the long fight back from serious injuries sustained in a car accident last year.
The American won at the Home of Golf in both 2000 and 2005 and Thomas has been trying to get some St Andrews secrets out of the legend.
He admitted: “I’ve been picking his brains a little bit. I’m trying to needle it out of him and get as much out of him as I can.”
Faldo, though, believes there’s no hope of Woods repeating his old magic and said: “I don’t think there’s a chance, no.
“Physically, he played at Adare Manor and was in a cart for a couple of days to rest the leg. The physical challenge is just walking a golf course.
“Even though St Andrews looks flat, there’s so many twisting undulations, it’s going to be hard work for him.
“Even if Tiger was fit and strong, he doesn’t play much. Who knows what we’re going to get?”