Out of the Woods
Tiger finds positives in Masters play
AUGUSTA, Ga. — There were enough times at this week’s Masters when Tiger Woods looked like the Tiger of old instead of an old Tiger. Woods, who had not played a tournament in more than two months, closed the week with a disappointing 73 on Sunday, but finished at 5under par in a week many did not believe he would make the cut considering the long layoff and poor form with which he had been dealing.
His Sunday did not end without drama, which seems to follow Woods wherever he goes. On the ninth hole, Woods hit a tree root during his swing and rattled his wrist.
In TV interview with CBS he explained the incident in a bizarre matter of fact manner.
“Just a bone kind of popped out and a joint went out of place and I put it back in,’’ he said.
“It hurt; it definitely hurt,’’ Woods said. “I didn’t know there was a tree root there. I drove my hand or drove the club straight into it. It didn’t move. But my body kept moving. I told [ TV] there that therewas a little joint that popped out and Iwas able to somehow put it back in, which didn’t feel very good, but at least it got back in and I could move my hand again.
“I was in a hole, there was a big depression there and I didn’t really suspect therewould be anything in front of it. Evidently, therewas.’’
Woods, though, came away from the week extremely pleased with his play, saying, “This was my first tournament back, being a major championship, and to give myself a chance it felt good.’’
Woods came to Augusta having played only 47 competitive holes this year, missing the cut in Phoenix and withdrawing at Torrey Pines after 11 holes with a stiff back.
“Considering where I was at Torrey Pines and Phoenix [ in February], to make a complete swing change and rectify all the faults and to come here to a major championship and compete, I’m proud of that part of it,’’ Woods said. “I just wish I could have made a few more putts tomove up the board.’’
Asked when he plans to play his next tournament, Woods was typically cryptic, saying, “It’s not going to be for awhile.’’
Translation: Woods likely will not play an event before Players Championship the first week of May.
“I’ll go back home, go back the drawing board, refine what I’m doing,’’ he said.
Woods was paired on Sunday with Rory McIlroy, who shot the low round of the day, 66, and beat him by seven shots.
Despite that, Woods said the weekwas filled with “mostly positives.’’
“I was pleased with the way I was able to hit the ball this week,’’ he said. “I’ve got my pop back, and on top of that I got my short game back, whichwas nice.’’