The enemy this time is rain. Rain and wind and then sun followed by a little cold. Tall grass, weeds. Golf isn't a manicured game in Scotland. So Tiger Woods' enemy at the British Open, which starts Thursday at Turnberry, isn't the field of players, but just a big, open field, if that makes any sense.And that's what he has been preparing for. See rain, run out and play.
"I just fell in love with using the ground as a friend, as an ally," he said, talking about his British experiences. "We don't get to do that in the States.
"Everything's up in the air. But here it's different. You hit a shot from 150 yards, or whatever it is, and you've got so many options of how you can play it. Back home in the States, we play pretty much everything up in the air."
Woods needs this win, and that's his fault, really. You set the bar this high, inches from perfection, and then you have to keep jumping over it, again and again, even with a broken leg and torn ligaments. And then, even shortly after having them surgically repaired.
When we first saw Woods years ago, he was winning the Masters, and his father was saying he would change the world. He was on Oprah, who was calling him America's child.
Now, he hasn't won a major in 13 months. So with critics, maybe for the first time, Woods is on the defensive, a strange place for an icon with a mania named after him.
"To sit here and say I was going to have three wins halfway through the year ... I think anyone who looked at my situation would say, [I was] probably reaching a little bit," Woods said Tuesday at Turnberry. "I haven't won a major, but I've come close. I've put myself in position to win the first two majors, but just haven't done it."
Woods needs this win, and that's his fault, really. You set the bar this high, inches from perfection, and then you have to keep jumping over it, again and again, even with a broken leg and torn ligaments.Yes, Woods keeps touting his top-10 finishes since his return this year, and now he has won three times on the regular tour since returning from his surgery. It all sounds awfully Mickelson-y to me, taking pride in top 10s and minors.
Majors. That's the bar Woods has set for himself. That's all that really matters now, and he was in contention at the Masters, but didn't win. And it happened again at the U.S. Open last month. Woods can use a win here at the British. Golf can use one from him, too.
The game's star power keeps slipping. And Phil Mickelson decided not to come to the British, helping his wife, and also his mom, go through cancer treatments.
Woods hadn't played Turnberry before his practice rounds this week, and that's going to be a huge disadvantage against the European players. Truth is, most of the Americans have little or no experience there, either.
Woods has said that the course is harder than people think, and has reportedly carried around the same course map that any first-timer would carry, trying to learn the place.
Oddmakers don't seem too concerned with Woods' major losses lately, instilling him as the 2-to-1 favorite, amazing odds for golf. Sergio Garcia is next at 20-to-1.
Meanwhile, two-time defending champ Padraig Harrington has lost his swing somehow, deciding to tinker too much with a good thing. So I'm going to have to go with Woods, too, going with the favorite in a tournament that produces too many surprises. I think Woods has some proving to do again, but not taking him means you have to pick someone else. There is no one else to have faith in, particularly Garcia.
Oh can Woods use this win. Last thing he wants is to go into the PGA Championship with his last chance at a major until next year's Masters. By then, he would be closing in on two years between Tiger titles. Major titles.
Another major without a win, and the questions will pop up everywhere. A win, and he turns the conversation back to greatness and away from slumps, injuries and, yes, Jim Brown's criticisms.
Beat the rain, the wind, the cold, and he's back to being Tiger again.
Latest British Open Photos
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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa prepares to putt on the green of the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa prepares to putt on the green of the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa plays out of the rough on the 9th hole during a practice round, on July 14, 2009, ahead of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, which begins July 16. AFP PHOTO/Peter Muhly (Photo credit should read PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Kenny Perry of the United States gestures during a press conference during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Rebecca Naden, PA) ** UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE **
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Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
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Ryo Ishikawa of Japan prepares a shot during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
AP
Padraig Harrington of Ireland, right, signs autographs for fans during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
AP
Padraig Harrington of Ireland putts on the 15th green, as Ailsa Craig Island is seen in the background, during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
AP
Ryo Ishikawa of Japan takes a shot from the 16th tee during practice for the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
AP
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tiger tears up Turnberry!
first!
Tiger may win, or he may place in the top ten, this week. But he is still the greatest golfer ever.
Who is this jerk-off writer that criticizes someone for celebrating and touting victories in minors and and top tens? Greg Couch, you suck as a writer and a critic. Go back to your day job as a glorified range boy.
While I am an admirer of Woods the golfer and now Woods the man even if I was not a big fan of his I would have to say whatever it takes to shut Jim Brown up is good for all of us.
He's only the greatest golfer ever cuz you don't remember bigger, better golfers before him. Just cuz you were born after other great players doesn't give you a license to be ignorant of history. In my opinion, there are and have been better golfers than him. He's good but, not the best.
There weren't any better than him.
Jack said it best... something to effect of 'When I played only about 4 or 5 players were able to get to the par 5's in two.... if they lengthened the course proportionately to the equipment, Tiger would win every tournament.... I have been fortunate to watch Tiger play over a dozen times in person, and the fact is the ball makes a different sound when he hits it than when other players hit the ball (Singh, Els, JB, Phil all are close).
Put two 640 yard par five's on the course and see who wins the tournaments.
Tiger's last 3 majors 1 6 6 and that idiot is talking about a slump
TIGER OWNES THE PGA - ALL ABOUT MONEY - GOLF IS FIXED JUST LIKE ALL BIG MONEY "SPORT" - JACK TURNED GOLF INTO A BUSINESS AND I HAVEN'T LIKED IT SINCE - THERE ARE AT LEAST 5 GOLFERS FROM THE PAST THAT WOULD BEAT WOODS ON A REGULAR BASIS - THAT WOULD INCLDE JACK
Golf is Fixed ? Wow, where did that come from. If golf was Fixed, it would all be about drawing in the fans and what draws in the fans is ongoing competition between a small group of competitors that draw crowds. Daly would be in the play, it would come down to Michelson and Woods every other tourney. Turn your cynicism to useful quests like proving the moon landing false or worrying about the Kennedy assasination.
I was around when Arnie, Jack, Trevino & Player were in their prime, and I can tell you that as much as I admire those guys, Tiger is the all around best golfer I have seen in my lifetime. It has been a priviledge to have been able to watch his career. He has only gotten better as he has matured, and I look forward to watching him for many years to come. He has singularly raised the bar for all the pros, and revitalized the sport.
I,too, was following golf when Arnie made it a big time sport. I remember watching Jack come on the scene, so I've followed golf for many years. Tiger is every bit as good as anyone who's played the game. I would never say anyone is the best ever because I think it's difficult to judge different generations.