Woods: A Long Way Still To Go

Former world No.1 frustrated after poor start to the season

Tiger Woods has admitted that he still has a long way to go to rediscovering his form after finishing a lowly 44^th in his first event of the season.

Woods, who endured his first winless season on the PGA Tour in 2010, began his 2011 campaign in the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego at Torrey Pines, a venue where he has won no fewer than eight times as a professional.

However, despite starting the week full of optimism after what he described as “a true off-season” working on his game and rebuilding his swing with new coach Sean Foley, the former world No.1 toiled in his first outing since the Chevron World Challenge in December, finishing 15 shots behind winner Bubba Watson.

“I hit a lot of good shots early in the week and then it progressively got worse,” said Woods, who will next play in Dubai Desert Classic in just over a week’s time.

“Today was nice starting out. I hit it just as pure as can be and then it got worse as the day went on. I hit so many good putts that didn’t go in today. So I have a week to get ready and have got a lot of work to do.

“The old motor patterns are still there, and that is the thing. I’m going to have to fight through that. I’ve done it before and there’s no reason I can’t do it again. It takes reps and it takes reps under competition. You can’t be afraid to go ahead and try it.”

An emotional Watson – who dedicated the win to his mother – finished one shot ahead of Phil Mickelson to claim only his second PGA Tour victory.

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