Woods: ‘It’s been a great year’

Tiger Woods last night insisted his year will be a success whether he wins this week’s US PGA Championship or not.
Tiger Woods last night insisted his year will be a success whether he wins this week’s US PGA Championship or not.
Woods has won five tournaments in 2009 from 12 starts since returning from the game having spent eight months out following reconstructive knee surgery.
The latest victory came last Sunday following a compelling tussle with Padraig Harrington at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational that followed a win at the Buick Open the previous week and gave him the 70th title of his career on the PGA Tour.
Yet as the world number one prepares to tee off alongside Harrington and Rich Beem at Hazeltine National in Minnesota tomorrow, the 14-time major winner has declared himself already satisfied with his year’s work, despite not having added to his major haul.
“It’s been a great year either way,” said Woods, who 12 months ago was still on crutches following the surgery on his left knee.
“For me to come back and play and play as well as I’ve done and actually win golf events; to say at the very beginning of the year, when I was feeling the way I was, to be honest with you, I don’t think any of us would have thought I could have won this many events this year.”
Woods tied for sixth place at both this year’s Masters and US Open but missed the Open cut at Turnberry last month and having said he had bounced back better than most from his anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction he added that had been the only disappointment of his 2009 season.
“It usually take as while for an athlete to come back, and most guys, or some of the guys who have had it in our sport have not gone on to have the years I’ve had this year,” Woods said.
“I’m very proud of not only winning the golf tournaments but how consistent I’ve played.
“The only one bad event I’ve had was the British Open. Otherwise I’ve had a pretty good run of top-10s, stroke-play events, like 18 or 20 in a row, I think that’s pretty good.
“As far as the Masters, the Masters I did not putt well. I putted well in streaks and I didn’t finish off the rounds the way I should have.
“At the US Open, I putted very, very poorly. Hit the ball well enough to win, but certainly did not putt well enough to win.
“And the British Open, I had six bad holes that cost me a chance of contending on the weekend.”
Despite having won both tournaments he has entered since Turnberry, Woods felt the need to underline his game was back on track since missing just fifth cut of his 13-year professional career.
“I feel as if I made some pretty good strides since the British Open. I had some nice practice sessions before the Buick, and especially on Monday and Tuesday after the Buick.
“I really had some good work down there.
“I think it was evident the way I was hitting the golf ball last week, I really hit it good last week, and hopefully I can improve on that and carry that over into this week.”
Latest
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
News
Paul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European Tour
Shane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.
-
News
Defiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
News
Shane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.