Tiger Woods is not going to play in the 3M Championship next week in Minnesota, so that implies the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational in two weeks in Memphis.
Its never been a great company choice to wager versus Woods, but if he does not play in Memphis, bank on this: Woods has little to no possibility of contending to win the PGA Championship.
Tiger WoodsGetty ImagesWoods, according to someone in his inner circle, is “on the fence” about whether to play the WGC event in two weeks.
DUBLIN, Ohio– Play again soon, Tiger.
Sooner rather than later on.
Sooner suggesting one more competition before the PGA Championship happens in three weeks at Harding Park in San Francisco.
The issue for Woods, as it always is because the last of his back surgical treatments, is how his 44-year-old body responds to today and how he feels next week.
San Francisco, too, is known for its cool, wet weather condition, which does not bode well for Woods back concerns.
Mark that down in ink.
“More associates, yes. I definitely need more reps.”.
When Woods teed it up in Thursdays opening round of the Memorial, it had actually been 151 days because his last PGA Tour round, going back to February at the Genesis Invitational in LA, where he finished Last and 68th among those who made the cut.
Woods 4 rounds at the Memorial Tournament this week at Muirfield Village– 71, 76, 71 and 76 helpful for tie for 40th in some hard conditions– was not sufficient to prepare him for the very first major champion of the season on a Harding Park golf course that will have narrow fairways and thick, juicy rough.
Asked “how ready” he feels going into the PGA Championship if he doesnt play another tournament before Harding Park, Woods stated, “Well, I think I require to deal with my putting a bit and clean that up. As far as my swing, it felt good. I had the ability to strike great shots. Friday, [I] was a bit off physically, but overall for my first week back, it was a lot of positives.”.
When will Woods play next?
” The key is for him to get house and see how hes feeling after a couple of days and then decide. Not playing tournament golf, youre not as sharp as you wish to be. Its simple to practice at home and play rounds, however its not like being out on the Tour when the chips and the putts count.”.
” I look at it both ways– many people would think after five months off you need more reps to play in a major, however in some cases youve got to take care not to wear yourself out,” LaCava informed The Post about Woods choice to play another before the PGA or rest.
LaCava was buoyed by what he saw out of Woods at the Memorial, calling it “not that bad after 5 months” away.” On Thursday, he looked close to midseason kind. Friday, he wasnt feeling as well and got it around, to his credit, to make it, and I like what I saw late [Saturday] and primarily [Sunday],” LaCava stated.
The male who understands Woods video game better than anybody, his caddie Joe LaCava, generally is an advocate of more reps. But, based on his guys tiresome physical nature, hes tempered that a bit.
This is a concern the golf world will need to wait to be addressed, due to the fact that only Woods understands, and he will not say till he seems like it. He has till Friday afternoon to devote to Memphis.
” Well, I completed and played again, “Woods said. It was great to get my feet damp and contend and play once again.
What did he learn in his 72 holes this week?
” I didnt putt well, “Woods said.
He wont do that staying in Florida for the next 2 weeks. Hell just do that by competing once again.
” Well, I completed and played again, “Woods said. It was good to get my feet wet and contend and play again.
Asked “how ready” he feels going into the PGA Championship if he doesnt play another tournament prior to Harding Park, Woods said, “Well, I think I require to work on my putting a bit and tidy that up. Not playing competition golf, youre not as sharp as you want to be. Its easy to practice at home and play rounds, but its not like being out on the Tour when the chips and the putts count.”.