WOODS’ FOCUS HAS TO BE ON RECOVERY
Jacklin message for stricken legend Woods
TIGERWOODS was putting on a brave face in hospital after further procedures to stabilise his injuries – despite the chances of a return to action looking increasingly remote. The 15-time Major winner was reportedly “in good spirits” after being moved to a new hospital in Los Angeles following his car accident in midweek.
Open fractures to the 45-year-old’s tibia and fibula and further injuries to his foot and ankle were stabilised during surgery with the insertion of a rod, screws and pins.
A post from the golfer’s
Twitter account said: “The procedures were successful, and he is now recovering and in good spirits.”
However, Ryder Cup legend Tony Jacklin claims the American superstar is
“living in a dream world” if he is entertaining thoughts of a comeback on the golf course.
He says it is now crucial thatwoods puts all ambitions of a return to the back of his mind in order to concentrate on the rehabilitation process.
“It doesn’t look like he’s going to be able to add to his tally of 15 Major wins, or think about breaking Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18, but the most important thing is that he has survived,” said
Jacklin.
“When you are flying down the road and losing control the way he did, your life is in the lap of the gods. It’s a whole new ball game for him now because he’s got to channel that fierce determination and absolute passion he showed on the course to find inspiration and come out the other side.
“He’s looking at between one and two years of rehab, that consideration on its own is daunting enough.
“The idea he could break Jack’s record pales into insignificance now. He’s got young children, they’ve still got their dad, and that’s all that matters.’’
The strength that has always set Woods apart from his rivals has been his incredible mental fortitude and, according to Jacklin, that must come to the fore again in his hour of need.
The 76-year-old Florida-based Englishman said: “You could tell from the off that he was no fluke. Nike and the other big companies got behind him and he delivered for them on the world stage.
“His mental strength is what has made him stand out from the pack.”
Jacklin remembers a conversation he had with one of the five-time Masters winner’s peers – Michael Campbell – in which the New Zealander offered an insight into the extraordinary mind games thatwoods used to play on himself at the height of his greatness.
Jacklin said: “For example, he times exactly how long it takes for a putt to reach the hole and he also counts how many footsteps he takes in one minute when he’s out on the course.
“These are all little exercises designed to keep him in the zone.”
TRITONIC became a banker for the Brits at next month’s Cheltenham Festival after his breathtaking win in ythe Close Brothers Adonis Hurdle at Kempton yesterday. Now unbeaten in his two hurdle races,tritonic is a worthy candidate to scupper Ireland’s hopes of winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle with 2-1 favourite Zanahiyr.
Bookmakers also share that view as they slashed his odds from 10-1 to 4-1 for the Triumph.
Tritonic’s trainer Alan King, successful in the Adonis and
Triumph with Penzance in 2005, said: “Everything impressed me today – the way he came back on the bridle as he was short of room once or twice and I alsdo loved the way he went away from the last.
“He hit the line really well which is a good sign.
“He has got plenty of experience on the Flat so he should be okay at Cheltenham.
“He’s the highest-class Flat horse I’ve ever sent jumping. I certainly wouldn’t want to swap him for anything.”
The Irish warmed up for the Festival in style when Cape Gentleman, trained by Willie Mullins’ nephew Emmet Mullins, took the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle in the hands of Jonjo O’neill.
At Newcastle, local lad Brian Ellison was celebrating after saddling Sam’s Adventure to land thevertem Eider Chase.
Ellison was born in Newcastle on Northumberland Plate day, the course’s famed Flat race, in 1952.
It was a remarkable ride from successful jockey Henry Brooke as he had only recently returned to action after breaking his neck in November.
Paul Nicholls kept up his domination in the
Pendil Novices’ Chase when Tamaroc Du Mathan, partnered by Harry Cobden, gave him a staggering 11th victory in the contest.
“I’d suspect he will go to Aintree for the two-and-a-half mile novice chase or to Ayr the weekend after for the Future Champions Novice Chase,” said Nicholls. “I don’t see him going to Cheltenham.”