Tiger Woods walked with a slight limp Tuesday. It was in contrast to his tournament, the AT&T National, which hit the ground running last July. Tuesday when Woods returned to Congressional Country Club, he sounded anxious to return from April knee surgery, resume his quest for a 14th major championship at the U.S. Open next month and piggy back on the success of last year’s National.
“What we did last year in 112 days was unprecedented,” said Woods of the inaugural event. “We are looking forward to making this year happen, trying to build on what we did last year, make it even more exciting.”
The best way to ensure that, would be for Woods to succeed first-year winner K.J. Choi, a scenario he has envisioned for the tournament, which runs July 3-6.
“As far as me giving the trophy, I might as well give it to myself. That’s fine,” said Woods. “I will thank all the sponsors. Make sure everyone has applause, 2008 champion, blah, blah, blah, ‘Tiger Woods, here you go. Tiger what do you think of this’? I don’t have a problem doing that. I really don’t.”
Congressional is locked in as host of the tournament through 2009. But thelong-term future remains a mystery. Nearby Avenel, host of a PGA Tour stop from 1987-2006, remains an option. Woods has never publicly admitted considering Avenel, which is undergoing a major renovation. But Woods said Tuesday that he would visit the club during the week of the National.
When asked if he would move the tournament outside the Washington area, Woods said, “We have to explore every option, whether it is here or outside the area.”
As for this year, the AT&T National will again have a heavy military presence. The tournament will honor a different branch of the Armed Forces each day and distribute 30,000 complimentary tickets to military personnel. Wounded soldiers from nearby military hospitals will be special guests, and 16 members of the military will announce players as they tee off on the first and 10th holes.
“People don’t realize the dedication men and women are doing and what we receive. We want to say thank you,” said Woods. “I grew up in a military household. I understand what it takes. I witnessed it. I have been around the guys all my life.”
