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Tiger Woods never dreamed he would win 14 major titles by the age of 33 but the golf superstar is confident he can begin a Grand Slam sweep at his first major tournament since an eight-month layoff.
Woods will resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 career major crowns on Thursday in the opening round of the 73rd Masters, seeking his 67th career title and fifth green jacket at Augusta National Golf Club.
“I would have never foreseen myself winning this many championships this soon but I’m not going to say it’s a bad thing either,” Woods said.
Woods limped his way to victory at last year’s US Open before undergoing left knee surgery that kept him out until February. Two weeks ago, in only his third event back, Woods sank a dramatic 72nd-hole birdie to win at Bay Hill.
“The week at Bay Hill was great, to feel that rush and see how my body would react. After months of rehabilitation, it felt great to hit shots,” Woods said.
“It’s nice to have a little momentum going into the Masters. The win at Bay Hill validated all the hard work after my knee surgery.”
Woods has regained the confidence to talk about matching the peak form of 2000 and 2001 that saw him win an unprecedented four majors in a row, the last of the “Tiger Slam” coming at Augusta in 2001.
“I know I can do it. I’ve done it. It’s hard for me to sit here and say it can’t be done,” Woods said. “It’s just a matter of winning the right four at the right time so hopefully it will start this week for me.”
Woods has a rival who is already halfway to matching Woods’ four in a row, with Irishman Padraig Harrington looking to extend a “Paddy Slam” this week after taking last year’s British Open and PGA Championship in Woods’ absence.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Woods said. “I remember trying to do it myself. It’s hard to get your game to peak four straight times.”
It’s also difficult to reclaim top form after spending most of the past year working out in gymnasiums, lifting a bit more weight or regaining a bit more mobility each day before playing with his daughter Sam.
“My rush was trying to get in the gym every day and trying to get better than I was the day before,” Woods said. “It was a challenge… There were a lot of low days but you have to fight through it.
“Having to do that and keep up with Sam was a challenge.”
Woods said missing the past two majors has not increased his excitement at playing simply because his thrill was already tremendous.
“It feels the same. It feels like any major championship. The duration between them is just longer,” Woods said.
Woods has not won a Masters since 2005 but was runner-up the past two years and third in 2006. He blamed inconsistent putting for the failures but found solid pain-free putting form at Bay Hill and should be at his best this week.
“The last couple years my putting has been streaky here,” Woods said. “I get on rolls where I make everything and rolls where I didn’t make anything. Consequently I didn’t win. You have to be very consistent around this course.”
Woods struggled with knee pain at last year’s Masters, having surgery after the event that allowed him to play at the US Open where he aggravated torn cartilage.
“A year ago at this time, I was just hoping to get through the Masters,” Woods said. “There’s really no comparison. It’s stable. This year, the knee feels strong and I can drive into my left leg.”
Penpix for leading contenders and all Australians in the 2009 Masters:-
TIGER WOODS (USA)
World ranking: 1
Odds: 9/5
Best Masters: 1st, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005
Major titles: 13
Why he can win: Near unbeatable when at his best
Why he can’t: Not always at his best
PHIL MICKELSON (USA)
World ranking: 2
Odds: 8/1
Best Masters: 1st, 2004, 2006
Major titles: 3
Why he can win: He’s already won it twice
Why can can’t win: Tiger Woods
SERGIO GARCIA (Spain)
World ranking: 3
Odds: 33/1
Best Masters: Equal 4th, 2004
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Too good not to win a major soon
Why he can’t win: Wants it too badly
GEOFF OGILVY (Australia)
World ranking: 4
Odds: 14/1
Best Masters: Equal 16th, 2006
Major titles: 1
Why he can win: Proven as a player for the big occasion
Why he can’t win: Only the Australian jinx
PADRAIG HARRINGTON (Ireland)
World ranking: 5
Odds: 16/1
Best Masters: Equal 5th, 2002
Major titles: 1
Why he can win: Has won the past two majors
Why he can’t win: Only the true greats win three consecutive majors
PAUL CASEY (England)
World ranking: 6
Odds: 28/1
Best Masters: Equal 6th, 2004
Major titles 0
Why he can win – Brimming with confidence after winning Houston Open on Sunday
Why he can’t win: It’s hard to go back-to-back
VIJAY SINGH (Fiji)
World ranking: 7
Odds: 60/1
Best Masters: 1st, 2000
Major titles: 3
Why he can win: He’s don’t it before
Why he can’t win: Past his prime
HENRIK STENSON (Sweden)
World ranking: 8
Odds: 40/1
Best Masters: Tied 17th, 2007 and 2008
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Great temperament
Why he can’t win: Inconsistent driver
ROBERT KARLSSON (Sweden)
World ranking: 9
Odds: 40/1
Best Masters: Tied 8th, 2008
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Top-10 last year in just his second Masters
Why he can’t win: Has never won in United States
CAMILO VILLEGAS (Colombia)
World ranking: 10
Odds: 40/1
Best Masters: Missed cut, 2007 and 2008
Why he can win: Great young talent
Why he can’t win: Must learn to walk before he runs
Other Australians
ADAM SCOTT (Australia)
World ranking: 22
Odds: 50/1
Best Masters: Equal 9th, 2002
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Loaded with talent
Why he can’t win: Has struggled recently while working on minor swing change
ROBERT ALLENBY (Australia)
World ranking: 29
Odds: 80/1
Best Masters: Equal 22nd, 2006
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Great long game
Why he can’t win: Mediocre short game
MATHEW GOGGIN
World ranking: 52
Odds: 125/1
Best Masters: Never played
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Great talent who is finally fulfilling his potential
Why he can’t win: First-timers usually struggle
STUART APPLEBY (Australia)
World ranking: 54
Odds: 66/1
Best Masters: Equal 7th, 2007
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Consistent recent performer at Augusta, with top-20 finishes the past three years
Why he can’t win: Has not shown he can close the deal in majors
AARON BADDELEY (Australia)
World ranking: 55
Odds: 100/1
Best Masters: Equal 52nd, 2007
Major titles: 0
Why he can win: Magnificent short game
Why he can’t win: Has struggled with long game recently
GREG NORMAN
World ranking: 238
Odds: 140/1
Best Masters: 2nd, 1996
Major titles: 2
Why he can win: When motivated, still has the game that made him a perennial contender for so many years
Why he can’t win: Life’s not always fair