Tiger Woods’ victory Sunday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational was his first on the PGA Tour in 30 months. His joy and relief were obvious from his demeanor on the 72nd hole and expressed with a fiery expletive. “[Expletive], yeah,” Woods exclaimed as his approach landed safely on the lake-guarded green.
In a press conference afterward, however, Woods downplayed the significance of his slump buster, reminding reporters of his win in December’s Chevron World Challenge, a non-PGA, limited field invitational.
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“It’s my second win, so it feels good. This is just our progression,” Woods told reporters. “If you look at my results — had the lead in Australia, had the lead in Abu Dhabi, was there in contention at Pebble, was in contention at the Honda. I’ve been close for a number of tournaments now.”
Woods has a point. Since November he has challenged in all seven tournaments he has played. Over that stretch, no one in golf has played better. Sunday was not a blast from the blast or a bolt from the blue. It was a culmination of steady progress after an injury-filled 2010.
“If you’re injured you can’t practice,” Woods said. “You can’t make a swing change.”
Woods’ next event is the Masters. The timing is good, though Woods — typically — wouldn’t admit there’s any advantage going in with a victory.
“I’ve gone into Augusta with wins and without wins,” Woods said. “I understand how to play Augusta National. It’s just a matter of executing the game plan.”
Maybe a victory there will get him to open up.
– Kevin Dunleavy
