Tiger Woods :: ‘I’m not buried and done’

• Tiger Woods believes he can still top Jack Nicklaus’ record
• Said he never had any intention of retiring from the game
• Believes his game is in great shape ahead of the Open

Tiger Woods came out fighting at his Tuesday morning press conference at the Open – saying he still hasn’t given up hope of eclipsing Jack Nicklaus’ 17 major titles.

The 39-year-old hasn’t tasted victory in a major since the 2008 US Open and doesn’t have a professional win for almost two years – that coming at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

But the former world No.1 is adamant he can still mix it with the best in the game and despite injury problems and a terrible loss of form in recent months – which twice saw him record his worst round as a professional – Woods insisted he never had any intention of giving up the game.

“I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you” – Tiger Woods

“I’m still young, I’m not 40 yet,” said Tiger Woods at his Tuesday morning press conference at St Andrews. “I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you. I love competing and I love playing in these events.

“Retirement? I don’t have any AARP card yet,” he joked. “I feel like my body is finally healed up from last year’s surgery and it would’ve been one thing if I’d gone through the procedure then had the same golf swing, but I’ve changed that too so that was kind of a double dipper where I had to fight both at the same time.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

Now that he’s over his troubles, Woods heads into the Open on the back of a solid showing at the Greenbrier Classic and can’t wait to head back out onto the Old Course on Thursday – scene of two of his three Open titles in 2000 and 2005.

“I’m very excited to be back here at the Home of Golf,” said Tiger Woods. “I’ve always loved this golf course, from the first time I played it back in ’95, and there’s just something special about it.

“It’s playing a little bit differently than we’ve had in previous Opens, or certainly the ones I’ve played in. It’s a little bit softer and I’m sure it’s going to get even softer with the forecast for Friday. You can’t quite chase it like you normally do and we’re going to have to be a little bit more aggressive in the air than in years past.”

Tiger Woods will be playing in the Champion Golfers’ Challenge tomorrow, where he will be teeing off at 4.10pm with Tom Weiskopf, Nick Price and Mark O’Meara.

The 14-time major winner gets his quest for a fourth Open title underway at 9.55am on Thursday alongside 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Day.

Tiger Woods :: Open chances?

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