The game is coming, says Tiger

Dog day afternoon at Frys.com Open doesn’t ruffle Woods

On course: There were encouraging signs from Tiger’s return to competitive action at the Frys.com Open

Though a tie for 30th at a middling PGA Tour Fall Series event might not herald a return to his previous dominance, Tiger Woods believes his display at the Frys.com Open was a step in the right direction.  

It is indicative of the extent of the disarray Tiger’s game has been in this season that the 14-time major winner could regard finishing ten shots adrift of leaders Bryce Molder and Briny Baird (Molder won in a playoff, by the way) as a positive.

In his rounds of 73, 68, 68 and 68 for a seven-under-par total there were undoubtedly glimpses of the Tiger of old at CordeValle, though in a number of wild drives, his overall erratic form on the greens and an unfortunate incident with a hot-dog wielding fan there was the uncomfortable reminder of the series of events that have pulled Tiger to 52 in the world rankings.

Unperturbed by the unsavoury incident in which a ‘fan’ broke through the ropes to throw a wiener in his direction, Woods preferred to focus on the positive aspects of his performance.

“I got better every day,” said the former world No.1, who made his first cut since the Masters in April.

“I haven’t played much,” he continued. “That comes with competitive flow, understanding the situations and feels, and game time’s a little bit different. I really haven’t played a whole lot since the Masters.”

“I felt very comfortable, and I just need to keep staying the course. The game’s coming.”

However, despite talking of the need for more ‘reps’ to hone the swing changes made under Sean Foley, Tiger has resisted adding any further Fall Series events to his schedule. A somewhat controversial captain’s pick for the President’s Cup, Woods’ next appearance will be in almost one month’s time in the Australian Open at Victoria, one week before he tees up against the International side at Royal Melbourne.

“It’s getting there,” he said. “It’s a process. I don’t know what the end is. You know, that’s one of those things when the career is all said and done, then you know. But I’m in the midst of it and I know I’m getting better and that’s the tough part.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered