There have been no scintillating low scores over the 4 rounds. There have been no lengthy putts or rationale-defying restoration photographs which went viral on social media. In truth, he was by no means even in competition for a top-five end, not to mention successful the match.
But all issues thought-about, Tiger Woods ticked the proper containers at the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, Bahamas. Playing his first match in almost eight months after present process a subtalar fusion process in his ankle, Woods’ major goal was to final the total 72 holes. On this rely, it was mission achieved.
Woods walked the course with no noticeable limp or ache. Yes, there was soreness at the top of every spherical, however that is anticipated given his age and the toll that a number of accidents have taken on his physique.
No frills
He didn’t take a lot time lining up his photographs — an encouraging signal that the thoughts is functioning with out muddle. Woods, who will flip 48 at the top of the month, confirmed that whereas he’s not fairly the world beater of his heyday, he’s removed from a spent pressure.
For the crowds at Albany golf course — albeit small in quantity — there was solely one present on the town. Woods had the strongest contingent of followers, whereas the likes of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and others had to be content material with the corporate of a few relations and mates.
Woods (82 PGA Tour occasion titles) is tied with Sam Snead for many PGA Tour wins. With time, Woods will achieve the assumption that every one it takes is one good week to lay his palms on yet one more trophy. He can then bask within the glory because the lone man on the very best peak. Just one week of fine golf. His par-288 general rating at Albany, which noticed him end 18th in a subject of 20, may be seen as the primary step in that path.
Woods was completely satisfied to get again on the course and really feel that aggressive drive. “I was curious just like you guys (media) to see what this tournament is going to look like. With the way my ankle is right now, I was excited to get through each and every day and to start piecing rounds together. It was fun to feel that again,” Woods mentioned.
Sweet and bitter
Woods took consolation from the truth that the excruciating ankle ache, which pressured him to pull out of the Masters in April, was now not a hassle. “I don’t have the bone pain that I did. But I still have to go through the same protocols of recovery, which takes a long time. That’s the unfortunate thing about ageing.
“I’ve worn my body out while trying to keep up with the younger people. You spend more time in the treatment and weight rooms than you do on a golf course. That’s just part of wanting to hang around as an athlete,” Woods mentioned.
There have been moments at Albany which offered a glimpse of the marauding Woods of previous. None higher than the tee off within the first gap of the invitational occasion the place Woods crushed a 326-yard drive onto the center of the green. His enjoying associate Justin Thomas, alternatively, hit it out of bounds and took a penalty drop.
“I drove it on pretty much a string all week. Granted, these fairways are big. I had my ball speed up, which was nice. And I was hitting the middle of the face the entire week. So it’s not like I have to go and try and find something new over the next few weeks or in the next year. What I’ve been working on is right there,” Woods mentioned.
Work in progress
There is, in fact, loads of room for enchancment. Woods admitted that his placing was not up to the mark. “I would say my short game could be better. But everybody here says the same thing — it’s one of the most difficult golf courses. We have to chip the ball up with the holes running away from you.
“It’s tough. We use the 3-wood, 4-iron, 5-wood, hybrid. We were also talking about using the pitching wedge instead of a 60 (60-degree wedge). These are all weird things that we don’t normally see, right? It’s normally just a lob wedge to hack it out, but this is a different golf course around the greens,” Woods defined.
Heading into the New Year, Woods needs to play one match a month. This could possibly be powerful, however Woods is assured that his physique is up to the duty.
“Having a couple of weeks off to recover, and a week to build up — there’s no reason why I can’t get into that rhythm. It’s just a matter of getting into better shape. My game is not that far off, but I need to get into better shape,” Woods mentioned.
Off the course, Woods has taken on a main new position. A couple of months in the past, Woods joined the Tour Policy Board because the sixth participant director. As a revered senior statesman, Woods will look to voice the issues of gamers because the PGA Tour goals to merge with the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the DP World (European) Tour and the LIV Golf League.
Woods’ involvement has come as a boon for his friends, with the likes of Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and others praising the 15-time Major winner for stepping up to the plate.
The Tour’s merger announcement, which passed off in June, caught most gamers without warning. Woods was sad that gamers weren’t taken into confidence earlier than the choice was made.
“I was surprised, and I’m sure a lot of the players were taken aback by what happened. It happened so quickly without any input or any information. We will take steps going forward to ensure that players are not going to be left out of the process again. This was part of the reason for putting me on the board,” Woods mentioned.
There is a deadline in place — December 31 — for figuring out all particulars of the merger. Woods will take the lead when it comes to making certain that the gamers get a honest illustration within the deal.
“All the parties are talking and we’re aggressively working on trying to get a deal done. We are all trying to make sure that the process is better as well. We want to get the deal done, while making sure it’s done the right way,” Woods mentioned.
(The author was in Nassau on invitation from Hero MotoCorp)
