Woods ready for softer test
Tiger Woods of the United States listens to a question from the media during a press conference at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club ahead of the British Open Golf Championship, Lytham St Annes, England, Tuesday, July 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Tim Hales)
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England >> Tiger Woods’ last trip to northwest England for the British Open ended in a two-shot win at Royal Liverpool.
That was six years ago, and it seems even longer.
It was his first major after the death of his father, and he sobbed on the shoulder of his caddie and his wife, both of whom are no longer with him. There was no discussion about No. 1 in the world because Woods’ point average was nearly double that of Phil Mickelson.
Now it’s a matter of getting back.
The good news for Woods is that the British Open is the first major since the 2011 Masters that he has a mathematical chance to return to No. 1 in the world. At this time a year ago, he was No. 19 and at home in Florida letting his leg injuries heal.
Only it’s not that simple. Woods now has gone four years since winning his last major, and he conceded Tuesday that they are not getting any easier to win. Fifteen players have won the last 15 majors, the longest stretch without a multiple winner since 1993 to 1998.
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But when asked whether he was feeling any anxiety over when he will win another major, Woods simply shook his head.
“I just try and put myself there,” Woods said. “I think that if I continue putting myself there enough times, then I’ll win major championships.”
The trouble this year has been giving himself chances.
If there are questions about the state of his game, look only at the trophies he won at Bay Hill, Muirfield Village and Congressional — more wins than anyone on the PGA Tour, tied with Branden Grace of South Africa for most worldwide.
But the majors have been a disappointment. Woods had his worst finish as a pro at the Masters (tie for 40th), then vanished on the weekend of the U.S. Open when he was tied for the lead after two rounds at The Olympic Club.
He wins one week, he misses the cut the next week.
What’s going on?
“If I knew the answer, I’d tell you,” Woods said. “But I don’t. I just keep trying to work and keep trying to get better. And I’ve had a few wins this year, which is good. But also I’ve had a few poor performances, as well. So I’m just trying to get better, get more consistent. And that’s something I’m looking forward to in the future.”
