Last we saw Tiger Woods, he was dropping a birdie putt on the 72nd hole of the Chevron World Challenge, pumping his fist and celebrating his first victory in more than two years. Six weeks later, Woods begins to answer the question: Can he become the world’s greatest golfer all over again and resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ hallowed record of 18 major championships?
Woods tees off Thursday in the Abu Dhabi Championship, anxious to see whether his game really is back after a prolonged stretch of rest, practice and perhaps even peace of mind.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and then playing and give it a full season, which I haven’t done in a while,” Woods told reporters Wednesday.
After playing in the Australian Open, the President’s Cup and the Chevron in a span of four weeks and showing improvement throughout, Woods said he took two weeks off. Over the last four weeks, he has tuned up his body, his swing and his short game.
“I started from the green back like I normally do, putting and chipping, eventually irons and ultimately driver and then playing golf,” Woods said.
The most important word in that sentence might be “normally.” There has been little of that in Woods’ life since Thanksgiving weekend of 2009. But after his fire hydrant accident, the private-life revelations, his public flogging and his divorce, Woods’ life finally appears settled.
If Woods is physically fit and clear-headed, few doubt he will compete again for major championships.
Abu Dhabi will be an interesting test. In addition to Woods, the tournament has drawn six of the world’s top 10 players, thanks in no small part to appearance fees. Woods is paired up in the first two rounds with U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Luke Donald.
“There’s not many tournaments where you get really excited about a Thursday or a Friday,” McIlroy said. “But this is one of these times.”
Fans are feeling the same as they anticipate a golf season that opens with more intrigue than usual, most of it surrounding Woods.
– Kevin Dunleavy
