Furyk surprised by Tiger’s timing

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The timing of Tiger Woods’ decision to commit to his second event of 2010 has come as a welcome surprise for Jim Furyk.

The timing of Tiger Woods’ decision to commit to playing his second tournament of the season has come as a welcome surprise for his American Ryder Cup team-mate Jim Furyk.
Just four days after finishing in a tie for fourth in the Masters on his comeback following a 144-day, scandal-hit leave from the game, world number one Woods announced last night that he would be playing the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, starting April 29.
Asked for his reaction at the end of his opening round at the Verizon Heritage tournament in South Carolina, world number six Furyk expressed surprise that Woods had broken from his usual routine of announcing his participation in events at the very last minute.
“Obviously we’d like to see him out playing, but he’s got to do what’s best for him,” Furyk said. “And he’s never committed to events. This is probably one day early for him.”
Informed that Woods was in fact eight days ahead of schedule, Furyk added: “It’s actually nice to maybe get that over with and move on.
“But I am still looking forward to the day you’re not asking me about it. I don’t blame you. I understand.”
While the timing of his announcement may have caught Furyk off guard, Woods’ decision to return for his second tournament of the year at Quail Hollow will not have done.
The 14-time major winner finished fourth at Quail Hollow last season and won there in 2007, and on his website yesterday he said: “I’m excited about competing. It’s a wonderful venue and they always have a great field.”
Quail Hollow’s executive director Kym Hougham said on the US Tour’s website pgatour.com: “We are very happy to have Tiger coming back.
“Although we did not know if he was going to be able to make it this year, we have been preparing for another strong field and we are glad he will be a part of the Quail Hollow Championship again this year.”
Woods will return to Pebble Beach in June for the US Open, scene of his 15-shot victory in 2000, the biggest winning margin in major history, and can now be expected to play the Players Championship at Sawgrass, Florida, a week after Quail Hollow and then the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village, Ohio, on June 3-6, which saw one of his seven victories last year.
Two weeks after that comes the US Open, with Woods confirming earlier this week that he will be competing.
“It’s always been one of my favourite courses,” he said of Pebble Beach. “I can’t wait to go back.”

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