Fit, strong Tiger ready to roar
MARANA, Ariz. — Tiger Woods has been ahead of schedule since he first began rehabilitation for reconstructive knee surgery.
Only when he returned to the PGA Tour did he fall hopelessly behind.
He wasn't even the first player to warm up Tuesday morning at Dove Mountain. That honor went to Phil Mickelson, who had never seen so many photographers on the range at the Accenture Match Play Championship.
Woods finished his practice round about an hour later than he expected, and walked into his news conference with an apology.
"Sorry I'm late," Woods said. "I forgot how long it takes to play 18 holes walking."
It was the first time he had walked a round of golf since the Monday playoff at last year's U.S. Open, where he beat Rocco Mediate for his 14th major, then shocked the golfing world by announcing he would miss the rest of the year after having surgery on his left knee.
Woods is fit enough — one caddie thought he belonged at the NFL combine — appears to be swinging better than ever and says his left knee is stronger than it has been in years.
But in this fickle format, not even good golf is enough to assure anyone — Woods included — of advancing to the next round.
"You have to be on your game right away," he said. "You have to make sure you bring the intensity and bring your game from the very first hole. Because if you don't, then I'll be going home."
This is the 10th time Woods has competed in the Accenture Match Play Championship, and he has reached the weekend only four times.
For now, he's simply thrilled to be playing.
Oddly enough, the last time he played essentially was match play. After 90 holes at Torrey Pines — four rounds and an 18-hole playoff against Mediate — they had to go to sudden death, and Woods won on the next hole with a par.
He raised hardly any questions about his game during his 18 holes on the Jack Nicklaus design, which features firm turf and greens with too many contours to count.
Even so, there is sure to be rust when he faces Brendan Jones of Australia in the first round.
"I've played one tournament in 10 months," Woods said. "I've simulated tournaments the best I possibly can, but it's hard to get the adrenaline up to where it's going to be (today) when I play. I'm trying to get into the rhythm of the round as fast as I possibly can."
