Practice: Farmers Insurance Open
January 26 2011
2:10 pm
Healthy offseason benefits Woods
LA JOLLA, Calif. — For the first time in six years, Tiger Woods was able to spend his offseason working on his game rather than rehabbing his body or his reputation.
Maybe that’s why he appeared so relaxed Wednesday during his first press conference of the 2011 season. And truth be told, Woods seemed as anxious as the rest of us to see how he’ll play this week during the Farmers Insurance Open.
“I think it’s nice to have an off season where I wasn’t in pain and recovering from something,” Woods said. “I’ve had so many darn surgeries and everything. Granted I had a cortisone shot (in his ankle), but I was fine in a week.
“I haven’t had an off season like this. It’s always been trying to somehow can I get myself to start up again. This was nice to actually practice and build. It was something I haven’t been able to do. That’s been fun. Hopefully I can continue this.”
Woods, who has slipped to No. 3 in the world, returns to compete at Torrey Pines this week for the first time since he beat Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff to win the 2008 U.S. Open. That was his seventh victory on this scenic seaside layout, and he’ll be playing the first two rounds with Mediate and Anthony Kim this week.
Now to the nitty-gritty. Woods said the resurrection of his swing with instructor Sean Foley has actually gone faster than he had anticipated. He said many of the positions Foley wants to see Woods in are similar to moves he made as a junior golfer.
“So once I got going with Sean and we started working, some of these positions started coming back to me, and I felt comfortable with it,” Woods said. “But granted, how I got there was way different. That was, again, the adjustment. That’s what took time.
“A lot of talking with Sean, not hitting golf balls, just talking. What he’d like to see, feel, and we just worked on it. We did more talking than hitting golf balls, especially early, because it was about understanding the philosophy. It’s been good.”
Woods, who once seemed able to will balls into the hole, also indicated he’s feeling more comfortable with a his surprisingly recalcitrant putter. He admitted 2010 was “probably one of the worst putting years I’ve had” but the swing alterations had to come first.
“I didn’t focus on my short game as much as I needed to and I have in the past,” Woods said. “It’s because I was making so many swing changes, and it’s hard to allot as much time as I needed to to that.
“That’s what was nice about this off season is I was able to work on my putting and my stroke and go back to my old keys and old feels. Just putting in the work. It takes thousands of balls, and I was able to do that.”
The goal for 2011? Same as always. It’s still to “try to beat all their butts,” Woods said. But after last year’s divorce and spate of derogatory headlines, there is a caveat.
“The determination hasn’t changed,” he said. “It’s just that I need to be focused and put into a proper perspective. I went down a path I should never have gone, and now the determination is keeping my life in balance. That’s where it’s at.
“If my life’s in balance throughout the course of my career, I’ve had good years. More importantly, what’s most important to me is my kids. I need to be in balance for them, and that’s what it’s all about.” – Helen Ross
(Photo: Miralle/Getty Images)
RELATED: Will Tiger or Phil get to No. 1 in 2011? | Torrey Pines perfect for Tiger comeback
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I’s great to see Tiger Woods work his way back. Not one has ever been scrutinized as much as he has been. It wasnt fair. He’s going to excite the Golf world again. Let’s sit back and enjoy the best about him, competative Professional Golf. The best sport on that I’ve enjoyed for many years.
Im really excited about this Tiger year. Especially if he can win Torrey and then Masters again. Hopefully with some epic rivalry with Martin Kaymer later, if Lee fades. I dont think this will be a good Phil year. But Martin will make a serious run for the top spot this year, with a stellar 2010 bagged, he isnt defending too much from 2009 on the OWGR. Charles I fully agree on the lean-back part, well said :D
I’d like to see Tiger regain his form but it won’t be easy. There’s a crop of young guys now who aren’t afraid of him.
We will see; the son-of-bitch had the lottery of life and simply threw away on nothing, absolutely nothing.
As an accomplish golfer, I just cannot imagine him in the Masters, U.S. Open in the final round, on the 72nd hole standing over a two foot putt wondering deep inside, “do I deserve this win” and then missing it, time will tell.
I don’t think the old Tiger will return. I just don’t think he has it any longer.. meaning that “separation” he had before. No one is intimidated any longer and his mind is nothing like it used to be.
CULoveTigers how do you know what Tiger’s mind is like. I do recall him almost winning the last tournament he played in. Only thing was G-Mac make a great putt. Lets just sit back and see what happens tomorrow. It will certainly be an interesting year. Tiger didn’t step on the golf course to much last year and still made $100 Million in endorsement and etc. There is still a buzz that is around him and once he wins I think people will start to focus on the Tiger Woods of 2011.
CuLoveTigers, just wait until Tiger wins his first tournament of the year and starts draining putts like in the past and then see if the other players are intimidated. Tiger is going to be back in a big way this year.
I agree with Mat, they may not be intimidated now, but wait till he starts winning. I think everybody except a few naive soles, knows that it is only a matter of time before the genius returns. Come on Tiger, let’s get back on track.
Wow. Everybody seems to be on Tiger’s side. Where were all you people when he wasn’t doing so well.
Almost all past comments had something bad to say about tiger. Now that he seems to be putting it together all of a sudden your on his side. HUMANS!!
All of us are fair weather friends, Mel. If Tiger comes back to his former level, all except the haters will be back in his corner. As you say, we are human.
Tiger is on the comeback trail.He is just the best.2011 will be his Year-of-Return where he belongs.No.1 Rated player in world.Go Tiger….make us proud.
As for me, today is the real start of the 2011 PGA Tour season what with Tiger and Phil both in the field. No disrespect intended to the earlier tournaments or players of course. I do hope that Tiger plays better this year and has put his past exactly there, in the past. You can be sure I’ll be watching with great interest. Good luck Tiger! Good luck Phil!
As he stands over the six footer on the 18th green at Augusta he knows he needs this putt to win. Kaymer’s in at minus 12, Westwood one shot back, Phil shot himself out with a third round 73. He asks himself…..”Do I deserve this?”……”After all the crap I went through because I chased a few skirts…you’d think no one ever did that….Hell yes I do!” Putter back, silence and then the roar. HE’S BAAACCCKK!
UtahFriday,amen.
UtahFriday, that is spot on! To any of you’ll including Alex Miceli from Golf Channel that truly believe that Tiger won’t reach number one again, you all have lost your mind. You don’t think the King chased women back in the day? He will dominate again!!
Only time will tell if Tiger can return to past form and win again. I look forward to watching the 2011 season unfold and the challenges from the Kaymers, Johnsons etc. Everybody makes mistakes and to a man I bet alot of us would have fallen victim to the traps that caught Tiger. 2011 will be an exciting year and Tiger will win again
Lets see if Tiger still curses like a sailor on the course or throws his clubs or rides that roller coaster of seeming jovial and friendly when he’s playing good and like a spoiled pouting child when he’s not or whether he will decide to treat the club house help with a little more respect. Even before Tiger’s fall from grace he had questionalbe character traits which were overlooked by almost all because of his play. Not me. Frankly I’ve enjoyed last season of the PGA more than I have the past 7 years. I hope it does not turn into Tiger 24/7 again.
Deep inside not only public also PGA,players, TV stations etc. want him to put on the show and win. Some players even openly expressed it. They didn’t forget what Tiger brought to Golf World. His sex life is his personel thing. The excitement he brings what counts, no matter what he does on the Golf course or locker room. Sometimes I feel he purposely lost in his own tournament in 2010. It is going to be different in 2011. Haters should start looking for a hiding place.
GOOD LUCK TIGER!
To Duane’s post. If one likes mediocrity then I guess I agree. But me personally, I like watching a player dominate a field or a season. Palmer used to do that, Nicklaus did it as well, Miller had a couple of years when he was known as the desert fox and won three or four in a row. When Tiger was dominating golf was much more exciting to watch. Last year just about anybody could win and while I’m sure they’re glad they were able to step up and cash big checks, the really cool part of watching golf is seeing a player who’s mind is that much stronger than the other guys and the affect of that mind on them. Whether you like it or not, those days are coming back and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tiger even better than he was before (2000 not included). He’s pi$$ed and he’ll kick a$$.
He’s just one waffle house waitress away from being the Tiger of old.
Guys, Tiger will take care bussiness on the cours he will be back and do not get surprise that he will be has his best year ever!!
UtahFriday.You got it spot on.Tiger will be back with a bang this year.Go Tiger!