But regardless of these struggles, Woods had set one clear goal the minute he realized he might as soon as once more play to a “excessive degree” — to play the a hundred and fiftieth Open at “the house of golf.”
“My focus was to get again right here,” the 46-year-old advised reporters at St. Andrews on Tuesday.
“It is unbelievable, the historical past behind it, the champions which have gained right here … this does really feel prefer it’s the most important Open Championship we have ever had.
“This complete 12 months has been one thing that I am very pleased with … to have the ability to play in these tournaments when it regarded like I might by no means have this chance ever once more,” he added.
‘Rather a lot stronger’
Earmarked as his favourite course, the Previous Course at St. Andrews holds a particular place in Woods’ coronary heart because the host to 2 of his three Open wins in 2000 and 2005 respectively. The primary of those wins noticed the American turn out to be certainly one of simply 5 golfers — and the youngest — to finish the Profession Grand Slam.
A flatter course than Augusta, it additionally gives a extra accommodating setting to Woods, aided by conditioning work within the months since which have helped him to really feel “rather a lot stronger.”
“I’ve gotten an opportunity to work within the weight room and get stronger and get the endurance higher in my leg,” he mentioned.
“Enjoying Augusta, my leg was not in any situation to play 72 holes. It simply ran out of fuel, but it surely’s totally different now.”
After taking part in 18 holes Sunday and 9 apiece by means of the next two days, he plans to take Wednesday off earlier than the match begins Thursday.
“My physique definitely can get higher, however realistically, not a complete lot,” he mentioned.
“It is the unevenness that’s nonetheless troublesome on me, I’ve a variety of {hardware} in my leg, so it’s what it’s. It may be troublesome.”
A St. Andrews farewell?
They’re the kind of difficulties which have pressured Woods into drastically decreasing his program, to the extent that he admitted he won’t ever once more play a full schedule. His two main appearances on the Masters and the PGA Championship earlier this 12 months marked his sole two occasions on the PGA Tour this season, with dwelling follow his sole preparation.
With the Open rotated round a number of places, it stays to be seen whether or not the a hundred and fiftieth version would characterize Woods’ sixth and final St. Andrews look on the main.
Subsequently, to doubtlessly play his closing Open on the Previous Course — the location of his debut within the occasion — can be poignant for the three-time winner.
“I do not know, whether it is that lengthy [six or seven years], whether or not I can bodily compete at this degree by then,” Woods mentioned.
“It is also one of many explanation why I needed to play on this championship. I do not know what my profession goes to be like.
“I am not going to play a full schedule ever once more, my physique simply will not permit me to do this. I do not know what number of Open Championships I’ve left right here at St. Andrews, however I needed this one.
“It began right here for me in ’95, and if it ends right here in ’22, it does. If it does not, it does not. If I get the prospect to play another, it will be nice, however there isn’t any assure.”
McIlroy ‘can see’ a Woods victory
“He was shifting higher than I would seen him transfer shortly,” the Northern Irishman advised reporters.
“Hitting the golf ball and swinging the membership aren’t the problem, it is the strolling a part of it that is the wrestle.
“However he gave the impression to be shifting effectively. The whole lot regarded fairly good yesterday, in order that’s encouraging.”
McIlroy is concentrating on his second Open win after triumph at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and believes Woods is in rivalry to seal what can be a surprising fourth ought to sturdy winds proceed into the weekend.
“I feel the way in which the golf course is and the way in which the circumstances are, I might definitely see it,” McIlroy mentioned of a Woods win.
“It may be a sport of chess this week, and nobody’s been higher at taking part in that kind of chess sport on a golf course than Tiger during the last 20 years.”
