Tiger’s eight-month respite ends today in match play
If he maxes out in the Accenture Match Play Championship this week, Tiger Woods will play seven rounds in five days on an undulating course that measures nearly 7,833 yards, a daunting task for a player coming off June knee surgery.
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“For us to have the most recognizable athlete in the world playing our sport is so fortunate for all of us,” said Lefty. “We’ve all been able to benefit from it. To have him back is awesome.” Sunday » Sergio Garcia
Lots of intriguing matchup possibilities in the opposite bracket, including Adam Scott, Anthony Kim, and Boo Weekley. But Sergio might be best. He and Tiger plain don’t like each other.
When asked Tuesday his first impressions of The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, in the high desert near Tucson, Ariz. Woods sounded apprehensive.
“It’s a long walk,” said Woods, “especially between holes.”
If he keeps winning this week, Woods would clock approximately 40 miles. So it is with a mixture of excitement and trepidation that Woods plays his first tournament since his astonishing triumph in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, dubbed the Battle of Wounded Knee. Playing with stress fractures and a torn ACL in his left knee, Woods limped to a career-defining playoff victory over Rocco Mediate.
Eight months later, Woods feels like he has a new lower body.
“Both legs are stronger than they’ve ever been,” said Woods, 33. “This feeling is something I haven’t had in years. It’s nice to make a swing and not have my bones move … It’s been so long, to have it feel this healthy, this solid, and this secure.”
Woods, seeded No. 1, tees off Wednesday at 2:02 (EST) in the opening round of the Accenture, facing No. 64 Brendan Jones of Australia.
“The day I’m not nervous is the day I quit,” said Woods. “Of course I’ll be nervous, that’s the greatest thing about it, to feel that rush.”
Imagine how Jones will feel. The 33-year-old journeyman has spent most of his career on the Japan Tour. In his lone season on the PGA Tour, he finished 144th on the money list.
“It’s the chance of a lifetime,” said Jones. “[It’s] one of the most anticipated comebacks in any sport, really. And to have a front row seat to all of it is a great honor.”
The best thing on Jones’ resume? His nationality. Three of Woods’ six losses in this tournament have come to players from Australia.
“People have said, ‘If things don’t go your way, just take out his knee,’” joked Jones. “I hope it doesn’t have to get to that.”
Woods has a 31-6 career record in the match play, winning three times, including last year when he waxed Stewart Cink in the finals, 8 and 7. He is the Las Vegas favorite at 5 to 1. The format agrees with Woods’ aggressive style, but this could be a rigorous trial for his untested knee.
“I don’t know how the leg’s going to feel next week and the weeks going forward,” said Woods. “It’s been feeling great so far. But there’s a difference walking out there all the time and competing and playing.”
