Major test for Woods as he tries to protect No. 1 ranking
US PGA Championship
Whistling, Straits, Wisconsin
KOHLER (Wisconsin): Eight-time major winner Tiger Woods' golfing career will have in some ways come full circle when he tees off at this week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
It was in the state of Wisconsin that Woods made his professional debut in 1996 at the Greater Milwaukee Open.
“Boy does that seem like a lifetime ago,” Woods said on Tuesday after shooting a practice round.
“It was nine, ten years ago. A lot has happened in my life since then.
“When I turned pro, I was just praying that I could do well enough not to have to go to qualifying school. I think with my record I don't have to worry about that anymore.”
The 28-year-old American recalls being excited and extremely nervous that first week as a full-time professional.
“I was embarking on something that I had never been through before and I didn't know what my future was going to hold for me,” he said.
“It was a little overwhelming because there were so many different things I had to try and get used to very quickly and also perform at a high level. I didn't know anything.”
Woods is grouped with super-sized American John Daly and Fijian Vijay Singh through the first two rounds at the PGA Championship.
Woods described the course as one of the toughest he has encountered because of the small fairways and a devilish crosswind.
At 7,514 yards, Whistling Straits is the longest in major championship history.
“I tell you, if I was an 18-handicapper, I would not want to play here,” Woods said. “When the wind is howling I don't think I have played a golf course this difficult.”
Whistling Straits has over 1,400 bunkers and the weather forecast is for cool temperatures and rain yesterday and today.
Woods has failed to win a major in his last nine tries, dating back to the 2002 US Open. But he is optimistic about his chances of ending that drought. He is also looking for his first win in a stroke play event in 2004.
“I may have to deal with a lot of different distractions but I can still get out there and enjoy myself by competing and trying to beat these guys,” Woods said.
Woods admits his confidence is not what it used to be when he won four majors in a row.
“There is no substitute for confidence and back then I was feeling very confident. That was the best stretch I've ever had in my life as far as putting.”
Woods current troubles on the tour go much deeper than his putting.
Woods equalled Greg Norman's record of 331 weeks at No. 1 but that streak is in jeopardy.
He could be dethroned this week by either Ernie Els or Vijay Singh.
In one of the numerous complicated scenarios, Els could vault into No. 1 if he wins, and Woods finishes in a three-way tie for second.
Or if Els finishes second alone, and Woods finishes 16th alone.
Vijay could move to No. 1 if he wins this tournament and Woods misses the cut and Els is not second on his own.
Woods is also hoping to keep his record string of 128 consecutive cuts intact. – AFP
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