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Gary Player believes Tiger Woods has ‘a pretty good chance’ of winning The Open this week.

The South African, who is marking the 50th anniversary of his Open Championship victory at Carnoustie this week, reckons the firm, fast course conditions could be to Woods’ benefit as he won’t be required to hit what has historically been the weakest club in his bag.  

“He’s not been a great driver of the ball, so he’ll be using irons off the tees, which are to his advantage, so yes, he could win,” said Player.

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“He certainly has a chance. My big wish would be that he would win because Tiger Woods is responsible for these guys playing for a million every week. He is what’s captured the young people, which we need in this game desperately at the moment. 

Tiger Woods Carnoustie

“If he can bring this, it enhances the game and brings more young people into the game. He brings more people, the sponsors are delighted, the public are delighted, you media are delighted.”

The most recent of Woods’ 14 majors came at the 2008 US Open, whilst he hasn’t won anywhere since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2013. 

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Many remain divided over whether or not he will ever return to the winner’s circle, particularly given the succession of injuries and procedures he has undergone in recent years. 

Player, however, is in no doubt that we’ve not yet seen Woods’ final victory.

“I think Tiger Woods will win another tournament, and I hope he will win another major because we desperately need him to do that for the sake of the game,” he said. “I sincerely hope he plays well.”


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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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