Tiger hopeful to compete at Deutsche Bank Championship
The Deutsche Bank Championship celebrates its 12-year anniversary next month when the tournament returns to the TPC Boston, Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Once again, it serves as the second stop of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs, and will be limited to the top 100 players on the points list.
Tiger Woods hopes he’s among them.
Woods has played in only two events since undergoing back surgery on March 31 for a pinched nerve. As a result, he needs strong showings this week in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club and the PGA Championship next week at Valhalla Golf Club to qualify.
“I’ve been in this position before,” Woods said Monday via satellite to promote the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Tiger said his back is getting stronger and that he has stepped up his workouts.
“We’re just now introducing explosive training,” he said. “I’m excited about that. The strength and explosiveness are going to come back with time.”
Woods is also upbeat about what the Deutsche Bank Championship has accomplished for the Tiger Woods Foundation, the lead beneficiary of the tournament, and charities around the Boston area. To date, the tournament has raised more than $25 million for the TWF and local charities, and has generated an estimated $650 million in economic impact.
Once again, the event will offer free admission to all active, retired and reserve members of the military.
“This is a tremendous vehicle for us to be able to do some good for not just the community, but everyone in the United States,” Woods said.
Tiger is coming off a tie for 69th at the Open Championship, but has a great track record at Firestone, where he has won eight times. Asked if he felt more pressure to produce with the FedExCup playoffs and Ryder Cup selection looming, he said no.
“I know how to play under various conditions, various circumstances, various fields,” Woods said. “Certainly I’ll draw upon those experiences, and at all the events that I’ve played in and that I’ve won throughout the previous years. And that does help.”
Contrary to some opinions, Tiger said he’s just as hungry to win as he has ever been.
“I haven’t lost that,” he said. “I certainly don’t ever foresee that happening.”
Woods pays little attention to his doubters.
“Well, I’ve been through that situation before,” Tiger said. “I had a good year in 2000 — I believe I won nine times on our tour, and three more around the world. It was a good year.
“But I didn’t get off to a very good start in ’01. I didn’t win anything. And I was asked what it was like to be in a slump you’re in? Well, I had only played a few tournaments that year and hadn’t won anything.”
Woods wound up winning five PGA TOUR titles in ’01 and has collected 55 wins since 2000. He now has 79 victories, second all-time to Sam Snead with 82.
“Unfortunately, part of playing sports is getting injured,” Tiger said. “We push the limits of our bodies for a long period of time. I’ve had my share of breakdowns. I’ve had to rehab and I’ve had to come back. And through all the years, I’ve been able to do that.”
Woods has played on seven Ryder Cup teams and is hopeful of gaining one of nine automatic berths with strong play the next two weeks. If not, U.S. captain Tom Watson has three wild-card picks.
“Yea, there is a difference,” Tiger said. “One, you earn your way on the team, you felt like you’ve had two good years to qualify for the team and now I think it’s majors and one year to qualify for the team.
“But in the end, it’s what can you do for your team? Are you able to contribute? And the year that I was picked for the Ryder Cup and Wales, Corey (Pavin) felt that I could contribute to the team. I felt like I could, too. I went out there with Strick (Steve Stricker) and we played really well. And I was able to win my singles match, as well. I think I had a 3-1 record in that event.”
The Ryder Cup team will be announced on Aug. 11, the day after the PGA Championship. The matches will be played Sept. 26-28 in Gleneagles, Scotland.
“Hopefully I can get on the team and be a part of that,” Woods said.
