19th Hole

Tiger Woods gives intriguing update on his current level of play despite Hero withdrawal

Published

2 years ago

Dec 1, 2022

It was all going so well for fans of Tiger Woods.

Last seen waving ‘goodbye’ to St. Andrews at the 150th Open Championship in July, there were signs that all was coming good once again.

Related: Tiger Woods reveals 2023 schedule plan and calls for Greg Norman’s exit in blistering Hero presser

The 46-year-old was a confirmed starter at his own Hero World Challenge this week, before a made-for-tv Match VII would have seen him pair up with current world number one Rory McIlroy against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.

The three-week run was then to end with the legend pairing up once again with son Charlie at the PNC Championship, another ‘fun’ event at which both excelled when running-up to the Daly’s last year.

I am excited to announce that I will be in the field for this year’s #HeroWorldChallenge. A big welcome to @K_Kisner and @TommyFleetwood1 for joining us as well. See you soon at Albany!

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 9, 2022

Just a week ago, it was suggested that, despite that almost life-threatening car crash, Tiger was on his way to walking the full length of the Albany course this week, with journalist Dan Rapaport quoting Tiger as saying: “Can’t take a cart. This isn’t fantasy golf.”

And then it all went askew.

Tiger announced on Monday that he would have to withdraw from his own tournament, citing plantar fasciitis in his right foot as the reason for his non-attendance.

pic.twitter.com/C2HPgSSCAK

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) November 28, 2022

Although likely to appear in the remaining two events on his 2022 schedule, it’s of massive interest to discover how Tiger was playing before the breaking news of his latest injury?

In an interview with Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the five-time Masters champion revealed the answer to be ‘pretty well, thank you!’

“I was playing at home quite a bit, playing 18 holes shooting 65s and 64s, and walked one nine holes and shot 5-under, I was playing well,”

However, as many have feared, the pressure and toil of a four-day competition might be too much:

“But it’s the added load, the back-to-back days, in a tournament situation of four days in a row. My planner just didn’t like it. The only thing I can do for it is to rest it. Obviously scrape it, ice it, stretch it, it just takes time.”

Golfers often talk of ‘the process’ – the repeated routines, constant practise, increasing the workload to gain full fitness, rhythm or technique – and, even though Tiger might be unlikely to compete at the very highest level again, he is determined to complete the rehabilitation as best as his body will allow.

“Oh yeah. The scores I was shooting were good,” he told Lewis. “I was doing beach walks. I was leg pressing a lot. I was doing a lot of different things that I hadn’t been able to do all year.”

Tiger isn’t naïve, though, and recognises some limitations, particularly the missed-cut at St. Andrews, something that hit him deep.

“I had a couple of setbacks, procedurally. That took time, and getting ready for a major championship that didn’t quite work out the way I wanted it to. It’s part of the process.”

Fans of one of, if not the greatest golfer of all-time should not have to wait long to see him in action on the course, but these constant instances are a concern.

We can only hope at some point he completes the process.

‘Just get back there. F**k sake!’ – Shane Lowry loses cool with cameraman at Open Championship

Published

3 days ago

Jul 19, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Shane Lowry raced out to a hot start on Thursday’s opening round of the Open Championship. On Friday, the Irishman was in cruise control and earned himself a two-stroke lead through ten holes when disaster struck.

The former Open winner hit his tee shot in some high grass, and made an error on his second shot, with the ball shooting left into a gorse bush.

Shane Lowry HOT Mic ?? ?

? “As I was over the ball I could just see you putting your f—kin’ camera up. Just get outta the way. Just get back there. F—k sake!” @LowryTracker

pic.twitter.com/1tBmDF8vTh

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 19, 2024

After he hit the shot, Lowry blamed a cameraman for the miscue.

“As I was over the ball I could just see you putting your f—kin’ camera up. Just get outta the way. Just get back there. F—k sake!”

He’d gone on to make double bogey on the hole and is still tied for the lead as things stand.

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19th Hole

Tyrrell Hatton hits out at course setup after opening round at Open Championship

Published

3 days ago

Jul 19, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

LIV golfer Tyrrell Hatton has never been shy about voicing his opinion on golf course setups. Back in 2022, the Englishman voiced his displeasure with the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.

“You can hit good shots here and not get any reward for it. It’s unfair at times,” Hatton said. “I don’t agree with that. If you hit a good shot, you should end up near the hole — not short-sided into a bunker because of the slopes that they’ve created and stuff. Yeah, I don’t think it’s a fair test at times, and when you hit good shots and you’re not rewarded for it, it shows.”

This week, Royal Troon is under fire from Hatton.

After his opening round of 73 (+2), he sounded off on the course.

“They didn’t put any tees forward. You can’t reach any of the par-5s on the front nine. Was it 15 or 16, the par-5, you’re hitting a 4-iron off it. Tell me a good par-5 where you’re hitting 4-iron off the tee. There isn’t one.

“Even though they’ve moved the tee back on 17, which I think is a shame, it’s still with the wind today, you’re hitting 5-iron and hoping it can stay on the green. Rory obviously hits it a lot higher and further, and he was hitting 7-iron there. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s a tough hole, and it’s still hard to hit that green. I think it’s a good thing that the wind was playing down because they probably would have left the tee at the back if it was into off the left. Then do you want to watch guys hit 3-wood into a green that’s hard enough to hit with 7-iron?”

Hatton is still firmly in the mix prior to his second-round tee time and will look to make a move to get into position for the weekend.

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19th Hole

Bryson DeChambeau points to equipment issues after disappointing Open Championship start

Published

3 days ago

Jul 19, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Since his incredible victory at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2, Bryson DeChambeau certainly has a case to be considered one of the biggest stars in golf. The 30-year-old has grown in popularity due to his success on social media and his popular YouTube channel that appeals to the everyday golfer.

Despite the success and current form on the golf course, DeChambeau got off to a tough start at this week’s Open Championship. The LIV golfer opened with a +5 first round at Royal Troon and struggled to get the wind right all day.

After the round, Bryson spoke to the media about his struggles, initially blaming his equipment.

“I’m not at 190 ball speed, so particularly when I’m hitting driver or 3-wood, those clubs are built for around that speed, that 190 ball speed, and my 3-wood around 180, so colder, firmer conditions the golf ball is not compressing as much.

“I’ve got a chance tomorrow. I’m excited for the challenge. If I have some putts go in and hit some shots the way I know how to and figure out this equipment stuff, I’ll be good.”

DeChambeau added that in addition to his equipment, he’s also not used to playing on wet and windy links courses.

“Yeah, it’s a difficult test out here. Something I’m not familiar with. I never grew up playing it, and not to say that that’s the reason; I finished eighth at St Andrews. I can do it when it’s warm and not windy.”

Friday’s second round will tell if he’s made the necessary adjustments to adapt to the Open Championship conditions.