Players anticipate Tiger’s return

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October 5, 2011

While many pundits are writing Tiger Woods off, his rivals seem wary of an imminent comeback.

Kevin Na finally picked up his first win on the PGA Tour at last week’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open after 211 attempts without success, and though he recognizes that there are a whole host of rising stars in the golfing world looking to make their presences felt, he stil expects Tiger Woods to return to his winning ways.

“I am still a Tiger fan,” Na said. “I watched him play when I was a kid.

“The biggest question people ask me is: ‘Do you think he’ll win again?’ I say: ‘Definitely.’ He’s definitely going to win again.

“But I also tell them that people don’t realise how much other players have stepped up to his level. There are more guys now who are breaking through.”

Rocco Mediate is another pro backing Tiger to hit the big time again.

The American famously lost to Woods in a playoff at the 2008 US Open, but he’s delighted that Woods is back at the Frys.com Open this week.

Mediate was critical of Woods’ swing coaches not too long ago, controversially stating that they were ruining his game.

He believes Woods’ problems are purely physical, and that he’ll be a major force in golf again as soon as they are sorted out.

In fact, he believes Woods can be better than ever before.

“It’s the physical motion that’s causing the problem, period,” Mediate said. “If he gets his golf swing back, the ball game is over. Trust me.

“He knows that once he figures out where his ball is going, it’s over. He’s already proved it 71 times, in 14 majors. I think he can be better than he was before.

“I’m really happy he’s playing here because it’s huge for this event and huge for the Fall Series.

“I like when he’s in the field and he’s playing his best because it gives you an opportunity to beat the best guy.”

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