Tiger Woods missed the weekend when he last did battle at the British Open, and it certainly said something about the poor state of his game in 2015 that he did so in St. Andrews. For all his experience navigating his favorite course on the major championship鈥檚 rotation, he was handicapped by back woes and far removed from the form that had him claiming titles across the Atlantic thrice before. Soon after, he was compelled to shun competitive action, going under the knife twice and undergoing a long recovery process that, at one point, didn鈥檛 seem close to meeting with success.
Now deep on the comeback trail that began with the silly-season Hero World Challenge late last year and picked up steam from the Farmers Insurance Open onward, Woods isn鈥檛 just angling to survive. He expects to thrive and, in fact, win. The other day, he was asked in a presser if he figured the British Open presented him with the best chance of taking home his 15th Grand Slam trophy. His answer: 鈥淣ot to be smart, but it is the next major I鈥檓 playing.鈥 Which, simply put, means he believe he鈥檚 once again good enough for a podium finish every single time he tees off.
It鈥檚 a matter of perspective, really. Skeptical quarters need only point out that Woods hasn鈥檛 won in golf鈥檚 grandest stages since 2008, and hasn鈥檛 won something — anything — since 2013. To then consider him among the favorites in Carnoustie, by far the toughest British Open layout, would be wishful thinking. The flipside, of course, is that he is who he is; not for nothing has he already put together a remarkable career full of highlights only Jack Nicklaus can surpass.
Certainly, Woods will have to put together an outstanding showing from tee to green, and through all four rounds, if he is to prevail. So far, he has been alternately spectacular and so-so, not quite in command of his clubs to instead string great outings together. Still, it鈥檚 telling that he is again pressuring himself to produce results. If nothing else, it鈥檚 the first in what may or may not be a long process towards redemption.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
