Tiger Woods pursues Olympics dream

• Tiger Woods desperate to play at the Olympics in Rio
• “It’s very important. It’s something different for us”
• Former world No.1 out to win third Players title

Tiger Woods has revealed he will be playing more frequently ‘from here on out’ as he pursues his aim of competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 39-year-old released his ‘busy’ summer schedule last Friday, starting at this week’s Players Championship, and insists he will be playing regular tournament golf until August next year in order to try and realise his Olympic dream.

The field for the tournament at the Olympics will contain 60 golfers, of which a maximum of four Americans will be in the field, if there are four in the world top 15. With eight in the top 15 now, it would be safe to assume that Woods – who is currently ranked No.125 with 53 US golfers ahead of him – would have to be in the top ten by the time the field is finalised.

A huge task ahead then for the former world No.1, who underlined the importance of making it to Rio in 15 months’ time.

” very important. It’s something that’s different for us” – Tiger Woods

Speaking at TPC Sawgrass after his Tuesday practice round, Tiger Woods said: “I’m going to play more tournaments from here on out. I’m finally healthy enough to do it. I’ve got my body in the shape I need to have it in, and a full practice schedule and everything is full go.

“ very important. It’s something that’s different for us. When it got introduced, guys were kind of on the fence about it, but certainly I think it’s swaying in the direction of guys all wanting to play in it.

“Guys want to solidify themselves, play for not only their country but also have a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in a very long time: win a medal in golf.”

Tiger Woods heads into the Players Championship this week – a tournament he won back in 2013 – in the midst of some personal difficulties after his split with skier Lindsey Vonn was announced on Sunday, which was also the ninth anniversary of the death of his father Earl.

“I’ve always had to deal with circumstances on both, deal with stuff outside the ropes,” Woods said. “Obviously it does affect me. It is tough, there’s no doubt. This three-day window is really hard. May 3 through the fifth is just brutal on me and then obviously what happened on Sunday just adds to it.”

During the final round of the Masters, where Woods finished T17, he offered a scare to fans when he damaged his wrist after following through onto a tree root.

However, Tiger Woods confirmed that everything is now fine regarding his minor injury and is ready to try and win for the third time at Sawgrass.

He said: “It’s fine. I took a full week off, didn’t lift at all. I did leg stuff but didn’t do anything with my hand. Completely got away from it, anything with lifting or grabbing and started working.

“I’d like to say . I’ve had some pretty good practice sessions and my short game still feels really good.”

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