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• The world’s best golfers share thoughts on Woods’ return
• The 14-time major champion hasn’t played since February
• Phil Mickelson: “I expect him to play well”
The return of Tiger Woods at the Masters was a major talking point among the world’s top golfers at their press conferences yesterday with all eager to see the 14-time major champion back in action this week.
Tiger Woods hasn’t played since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open in early February and his rivals will be watching on with interest, like the majority of golf fans around the world, keen to see how the former world No.1 will fare.
Here’s what they had to say…
Rory McIlroy
“I played with Tiger in November last year and he played great. He birdied six of the first seven holes and played really, really well. When he came back, I don’t think his body was 100%, which obviously it wasn’t. But he’s taken a little bit of time away. I know he’s been working hard at home, and he seems like he’s ready to go.
“It would have been a bad thing for the sport if he had not been able to come back, so it’s great that he’s making his first start back here. Hopefully this is the start of a period where he can play continuously and have a good run at it, because he’s 39, turning 40 this year. He’s got maybe a few years left where he can play at the top level and he’s going to give it his all.”
Phil Mickelson
“I haven’t seen him much. But I know as much as anybody and I’m as curious, too. He seems to be striking the ball very well. He played in front of me today and I saw him hit some shots and it looked impressive. His speed is up, the ball is flying long and straight and it looks like he’s swinging free without any type of manipulation. It looks really good.
“I expect him to play well, but I’m sure he’s going to have the same challenges I’ve had. We haven’t played well and been in contention for a while and that’s going to be the mental challenge we’ve got to overcome.”
Bubba Watson
“This place brings it out in you. The older champions, the veterans, they get excited around here. That’s why everybody comes back. They want to be a part of this and it energises them.
“I think that Tiger has taken enough time off to where he wants to be back and obviously he’s pretty good around this place, so he is excited. I’m here and I’m excited to compete again. It’s the same with him. How would you not be excited to play Augusta National and compete at a high level?”
Jordan Spieth
“It’s a dream of mine to be in contention with Tiger Woods in a major championship and at Augusta.
“I watched some highlights of the 2005 Masters. I don’t really watch golf much, but I think that that shot he hit on 16 against Chris DiMarco, that chip shot that he made, is arguably the best shot that’s ever been hit in the game of golf, given the scenario and the fact that Chris had actually climbed his way from three back to being tied or with Tiger; actually beat Tiger by three in that round, which I wasn’t really aware of at the time.
“I just remember watching that shot over and over and over again, and the magic that he brings to this tournament and every major championship. It’s a dream for everybody to be in contention and try and take Tiger down on the back nine of Augusta. But I’m certainly rooting for him. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t ready, and I’m excited to see him back at the top of his game.”
Henrik Stenson
“He’s arguably the best player who has ever played the game, so of course I’m going to have some interest to see what he’s doing, especially after the break he’s had.
“I heard someone say that he came out by the pitching green and holed out four times in a row from 35 yards yesterday. So his short game seems to be in pretty good shape then, reading that out. Yeah, it will be fun to see and it’s good fun that he’s back playing again.”
Adam Scott
“I have no idea what he’s been doing. I’ve listed a bunch of guys that I’ve watched play a little bit and followed their results, but it’s a little bit unknown with Tiger because he hasn’t played for a few months. But that doesn’t mean anything. If you go off what I did, I didn’t play for three months and came out and finished fourth at Doral.
“When you’re talking about a world class player, you just don’t know. I’m sure he has high hopes. His level of comfort around this golf course must be extremely high, and he returned off a break before here and finished in the top five. So with Tiger, anything’s possible.”
Tiger Woods returns :: Your thoughts
The 14-time major champion is back to play at Augusta. But how will he get on? Vote below and leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section.
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