Like so many men or women at the
end of a meaningful relationship, Tiger Woods is seeking refuge and ploughing
his energies into the day job.
The
once-mighty 14-time major champion, who has barely been seen for the past year
and has consequently fallen to 125th in the world rankings, will tee it up at
the Players Championship here tomorrow at the start of what is, for him, a
frenetic burst of competitive activity.
The PGA
Tour’s headquarters at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, has become something of a
confessional for the 39-year-old when it comes to matters of the heart.
Tiger Woods, pictured with Lindsey Vonn at the Masters, has split with the skier after a three-year relationship
Woods hits a tee shot on the ninth at TPC Sawgrass on Tuesday as he prepares for The Players Championship
Woods opened up to the media on Tuesday as he spoke about his preparations for this week's event in Florida
It was here in 2010 he made his
dramatic mea culpa, when he owned up to the string of affairs that wrecked his
marriage.
Now, in
the shadow of the clubhouse where that remarkable statement took place, he
talked movingly about the shock announcement on Sunday that he and American
skier Lindsey Vonn had decided by mutual consent to call it a day, after three
years together.
He said
early on during the press conference he felt tired after his nine holes of
practice with Australian Jason Day, which seemed a strange thing to say, given
he has not played since the Masters.
Woods admits that he hasn't slept since news of his split with Vonn was announced on Sunday afternoon
Woods and Vonn share a kiss during the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Colorado in February, 2015
The former world No 1 is also dealing with the ninth anniversary of the death of his father Earl, pictured in 2004
Then came the revelation of the
three sleepless nights since Sunday. Never a great sleeper at the best of times
— he has always managed on four or five hours a night — the timing could hardly
have been worse for Woods since Sunday also marked the ninth anniversary of the
death of his father, Earl. Clearly, the cruel juxtaposition had wreaked a
devastating effect.
‘I’m not
going to lie to you, this three-day window has been absolutely brutal,’ he
said.
What made
the announcement of his split from Vonn so surprising was how happy they seemed
at Augusta last month.
Always the most private of
individuals, Woods was a changed man at the par-three tournament as Vonn looked
after his two children with all the love and care of a future step-mum.
There is
some talk that Vonn, after one marital disaster herself, has no desire to wed
again, while Woods was keen on the idea. Whatever the truth, it was clear
yesterday the break-up has taken an emotional toll. Not only did Woods look
fatigued, he is noticeably thinner than he has been for a long time.
As for
his golf, is there any way back for the man once so omnipotent? In many ways
his first round tomorrow, in the company of Australian Adam Scott and defending
champion Martin Kaymer, marks the start of the rest of his professional life.
There are grounds for cautious
optimism. Think of the man who spent the precious few tournaments he played
last year invariably clutching his back; the poor creature at the start of this
year, clearly infected by the chipping yips. Now he seems fit and healthy,
while his short game is back in a state where he can at least compete.
‘I’ve
made some huge strides since how I was in Phoenix and Torrey Pines in January,’
he said. ‘To change all that and then go to the Masters basically untested and
to do what I did (he was tied fifth after three rounds, eventually finishing
joint 17th), I thought was pretty good for three days although obviously Sunday
didn’t pan out the way I wanted. But now I’ve just got to keep building on
that. I’m on the right road. I’ve made all the big changes.’
What he
needs now is a run of tournaments. He has played less than one event each month
for the past 18 months, and no-one can compete with a schedule that
sparse.
Woods plays his approach to the ninth green as he warms up for his first tournament since the Masters
Woods says he is looking forward to a busy summer after confirming his schedule for the coming months
To that end, he will follow up
his appearance here with five more outings in the next two months. His
long-term goal is to improve his ranking sufficiently to climb back into the
world’s top 15 and qualify for the Olympics next year, when golf makes its
grand entrance for the first time since 1904.
‘I will
be playing a lot more tournaments from now on,’ he revealed. ‘I’ve got my body
in the shape I need to practice and play a full schedule. Now I’m looking for
the consistency and the wins that will get me back up the rankings.
‘It is
going to take time but I’ve done it before when I’ve made my comebacks. A few
years ago I was in the 50s and I got back up to No1, so I know what it takes.
It’s only two years ago I went on a run and won five times.
Woods last played competitively at the Masters but he believes he can still hit the ground running on Thursday
Rory McIlroy shakes hands with Woods as they prepare to tee-off in the final round of the Masters at Augusta
That’s what I’m looking for, one
of those runs where everything clicks.
‘The Olympics
is important to me, I want to play for my country and have the chance to do
something that hasn’t been done in a very long time: win a medal at golf.’
The hard
work starts today, at one of those tournaments he missed last year owing to
injury but one he won in 2013. Given all that has happened outside the ropes
and the fact this course is best suited to a medium-hitting strategist rather
than a wayward bomber, it will be a surprise if he is in contention this week.
But there
has been something about Woods’ demeanour and the return of that short game
magic that means only a fool would rule out glimpses of greatness once more in
the intriguing months to come.
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