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Former world No.1 insists there’s no rush to appoint a new full-time caddie

Temporary solution: Woods with childhood pal Bryon Bell, who has filled in as his caddie recently

Tiger Woods has insisted that he is in no hurry to appoint a new permanent caddie, following his sacking of Steve Williams last month.

Woods parted company with long-time bagman Williams on July 21 after 13 hugely successful years together, which yielded 13 major victories.

The deposed world No.1’s childhood friend Bryon Bell carried Woods’ bag in his two subsequent tournaments – the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship – but Bell’s position is only temporary whilst Woods picks a new full-time looper, something he insists he is in no hurry to do.

“I haven’t decided on a new caddie yet, but am definitely thinking about it a lot,” wrote Woods in his latest blog on his official website (www.tigerwoods.com). “There’s a few guys I’m looking at, but it all depends on timing. At this point, I’m in no hurry to make a decision.

“What am I looking for? Two things: A person with a lot of experience, and a person I’ll have fun with.”

He added: “I want thank my good friend Bryon Bell for caddying for me in both events. He did a great job. He knows my game, and he knows me. Unfortunately, I was pretty rusty and didn’t have enough reps to contend in either tournament.”

Woods could managed no better than a tie for 37th at the Bridgestone – an event he won seven times between 1999 and 2009 – and he missed the cut at the PGA Championship, only the third time in his professional career he has missed a cut in a major.

However, despite this, Woods says he is pleased with the changes he has made to his game under the supervision of coach Sean Foley, though he admits the alterations have taken some getting used to.

“Although I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, I hit more solid shots than people might think,” said Woods.

“At the PGA Championship, when I trusted my game and swing, it was there. When I didn’t, I fell back into my old patterns. I just need more reps.

“I’m used to seeing the ball curve a lot, but now I’m hitting the ball much straighter, and it’s hard to trust that. Most of the tee shots I missed at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA were straight balls into the left trees, bunkers or rough. I couldn’t cut the ball. I’m just not comfortable yet aiming straight, and it’s a whole new sight line for me.”

Woods also admitted that he is hopeful of receiving one of Fred Couples’ picks for the US Presidents Cup team, even though he is currently 28th on the standings and has seen his world ranking fall to 36th.

The likes of new PGA champion Keegan Bradley and last year’s PGA Tour ‘Rookie of the Year’ Rickie Fowler are currently ahead of Woods in the Presidents Cup standings but are also outwith the automatic selection places. However, Woods is hopeful that Couples will put his faith in him for the match in November, and he hinted he is prepared to add an extra event to his schedule to prove his worth.

“Hopefully I’ll get picked for the Presidents Cup team,” said Woods. I’ve had some conversations with Fred Couples, and we’ll see how it goes. Of course, I want to be on the team.

“It’s always fun to play for your country, and we did pretty well two years ago in San Francisco. I’m just going to keep practicing and try to get better. It’s Freddie’s call, and he can make any choice he wants.

“I might add another PGA Tour event to my schedule. Right now, I’m looking at my options.”

 

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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

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