Tiger determined to play well in his first major of the year

The last time Tiger Woods visited Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England, he earned a two-stroke victory over Chris DiMarco in The Open Championship. That was in 2006, when conditions were hot and dry, and basked-out fairways kicked up dust when balls landed.

Tiger used only one driver off the tee that week, opting for long irons that rolled out 300 yards. While that often left him longer approach shots to the greens, he sacrificed distance for position, avoided the nasty fairway bunkers and plodded his way around the course like a surgeon, posting an 18-under 270.

Woods led the field in fairways hit and finished second in greens in regulation. He also feasted on the par-5s, touring them in a combined 14-under.

The emotional victory was his first since the death of his father, Earl. It also started a streak of seven consecutive PGA TOUR wins for Woods.

“It’s night and day,” Tiger said of the differences Tuesday during his pre-tournament press conference. “I’d just lost my dad that year, and that was very difficult. Now I have two kids, and my life is very different, and I’m very happy.”

Admittedly, Woods felt a sense of peace on the course in 2006. His father was in his thoughts on almost every shot.

“I said back then … that it was like having my 15th club,” he said.

Woods enters the 143rd Open Championship having played only two competitive rounds in the last four months following back surgery for a pinched nerve on March 31.

Hoylake has changed, too. The fairways are green, the greens are softer and allowing ballmarks, rough is thick and lush, and there is a threat of rain most of the week.

“But it’s still playing fast,” said Woods, who arrived at Hoylake last Saturday to begin his practice preparation. “The golf course will really test your patience and your shot-making and ability to control shots, especially with all the different angles we have to hit.”

As always, changing winds will be a big factor. Players must constantly adjust, mentally and physically, and play the right shot at the right time. Let it get the best of you, and rounds can go sideways in a hurry.

“I’ve played it three times and had three different winds,” Tiger said. “I’ve hit a variety of different clubs and different shots.”

Tiger played in the recent Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club and missed the cut after shooting rounds of 74 and 75. While he was disappointed not to play on the weekend, Woods was also encouraged by his ball-striking, length off the tee and lack of pain.

“I’m not favoring anything,” he said at Royal Liverpool.

Initially, Tiger targeted The Open Championship for his return, but the combination of no setbacks and diligent rehab convinced his doctors to move up his schedule.

“I was able to rebound fast,” Woods said. “I can do whatever I want.”

This from a man who was in so much pain he could hardly get out of bed in the morning. Tiger admitted he didn’t know when or if he would ever be able to play competitive golf again.

It was very unsettling for the 14-time major champion, who missed the Masters Tournament and U.S. Open. So, in a sense, this week represents the start of his major season, and he is determined to play well.
 
“I think that’s one of the reasons why playing Congressional was such a big moment for me, because I didn’t have any setbacks,” Woods said. “I could go at it hard. I could play out of the rough. I could hit shots. I could go at it as hard as I wanted to, and I didn’t feel any of the pain going down my leg like I did before. I was able to recover each and every day. I think the key was I was able to recover.”

Woods isn’t the favorite this week, but don’t count him out. He’s done amazing things after major injuries before.

“I’ve been in circumstances like this,” Tiger said. “If you remember in ’08, I had knee surgery right after the Masters. I won a U.S. Open. I didn’t play more than nine holes, and the Sunday before the U.S. Open, I didn’t break 50 for nine holes and still was able to win it in a playoff, with [a torn] ACL and a broken leg. I’ve proven I can do it.”

Hitting fairways will be essential.

“You have to miss the ball in the correct spots, be aggressive when you can and obviously hole putts,” he said. “That’s a recipe you find for every major championship, but I’ve just got to do it this week.”

Royal Liverpool, located in northwest England, about eight miles from the town of Liverpool, was built in 1869. It measures 7,312 yards — 54 longer than it did in 2006 — and plays to a par-72. It is hosting The Open Championship for the 12th time.

Tiger played 12 practice holes Saturday with Patrick Reed, then played with Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland on Sunday. He took Monday off and played another practice round Tuesday with David Duval and Hunter Mahan.

Woods begins first-round play Thursday at 4:04 a.m. ET with Angel Cabrera and Henrik Stenson. The trio will play together again Friday beginning at 9:05 a.m. ET.