Tiger Woods may just be “glad” he is back on the fairways, but the big beast only has one thing on his mind this week: A 15th Major title at the US PGA Championship.
The former world No. 1 is eight months into his comeback following back surgery and is savouring every moment — 12 months ago it was widely assumed he would struggle to return to top-flight golf. But not only is the teeing it up with the best in the game, he is also challenging them for titles, in just six months he has gone from being outside the top 600 in the world to being back in the top 50.
And having led the Open at Carnoustie last month he now has the belief he can land a first Major since 2008.
“Just the fact I’m playing the tour again, just for me to be able to have this opportunity again, is a dream come true,” Woods said.
“I have said this many times this year, I didn’t know if I could do this again, and lo and behold, here I am.
“So just coming back and being able to play at this level and compete; I’ve had my share of chances to win this year as well and hopefully I’ll get it done this week.”
The challenge at the oldest Major was followed by a lackluster performance at last week’s World Golf Championship at Firestone, that suggested the 42-year-old still has some work to do if he is to finally get back into the winner’s enclosure. But the American ace is certainly all too aware of how times have changed and will to adapt to his new reality.
I know how to play the game of golf. It’s just what are my limitations going to be,” he said.
“And as the year has progressed, I’ve learned some of those things.
“Certainly, I can’t do what I used to do 10, 15 years ago, but I’m still able to hit the majority of my shots, and I’ve had to learn a golf swing that is restricted. I’ve never had a spinal restriction before, and I played all those years without it.
“Now, I’ve had a bum knee most of those years, but I could wheel it around that. But having a fixed point in my spine is very different.”
At the Bellerive Country Club Woods will play alongside Rory McIlroy and defending champion Justin Thomas. For McIlroy the return of the 14-time Major winner is nothing short of sensational.
“He had to learn how to move again. He had to learn how to swing. I mean, 18 months ago the guy couldn’t walk,” McIlroy said. “To get to this point is a phenomenal achievement already.
“If he could go ahead and win another major with his fifth golf swing, I mean, that’s unbelievable.”
Tiger Woods confident he can finally break Major duck at US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods confident he can finally break Major duck at US PGA Championship
- Woods fresh off challenging for the Open title backs himself to finally land Major No. 15.
- US PGA Championship is the big beast's last chance to win a Major this year.
Lackluster Liverpool FC snatch late win at Forest
- The Reds stay in 6th place but are tied on points with Chelsea and Man Utd
LIVERPOOL: After having an 89th-minute goal disallowed following a VAR check, the Argentina midfielder scored again in the seventh minute of stoppage time — and this time it survived a video review — to earn Liverpool a 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
The dramatic end at the City Ground centered completely on Mac Allister, who thought he’d scored without knowing anything about it after turning his back on a clearance by Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina.
The ball rebounded off Mac Allister and into the net, but the VAR spotted it had struck his arm and the goal was scrubbed out.
However, he was on hand off virtually the last kick of the game when Virgil van Dijk’s header was spilled by Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Barely six meters out, Mac Allister could hardly miss as he sidefooted the ball into the net.
There was a VAR check to see if Van Dijk was offside but the goal was given.
Liverpool stayed in sixth place but was tied on points with fourth-place Chelsea and fifth-place Manchester United, whose game in hand is at Everton on Monday.
Meanwhile, Sunderland lost its home comforts on Sunday. It wasn’t long ago that Sunderland were the only Premier League team with an unbeaten home record. Now, the Black Cats have lost two straight at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland was defeated 3-1 by Fulham, which had two goals from Mexico striker Raul Jimenez — one of which was from the penalty spot.
Ten days ago, Sunderland lost 1-0 to Liverpool for its first home defeat of the season.
Also on Sunday, Palace won as doubts swirl around Oliver Glasner’s future.
Glasner’s team dug out a 1-0 win over last-place Wolverhampton thanks to a last-minute goal.
Evann Guessand prodded home a far-post finish after coming on as a substitute.
Ahead of the game, Glasner, who led Palace to FA Cup glory last season, was non-committal about whether he would be staying at the club until the end of the season. He has already said he’ll be leaving in the summer.
Wolves stayed 17 points off safety.
