ORLANDO, Fla. – Twenty years have passed. Padraig HarringtonFirst faced Tiger WoodsHe was at the major on the weekend and has been closely watching him ever since.
He doesnt believe Woods is finished. Harrington believes Woods can win another major, if he can get to the last nine holes.
Harrington said that Tiger Woods wouldnt have ever run him off, drawing from the two hours of watching Woods play in a 10-hole TV exhibition. But I actually think that he might be… in a better position than I thought.
It doesnt matter that Woods, the 15-time major champion, turns 47 at the end the month. Or that he has had as many surgeries as he has won majors.
Woods was prevented from playing in the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas two weeks ago by plantar fasciitis. He wouldnt have been able to play with his 13-year old son in the PNC Championship this weekend, if carts werent allowed.
It doesnt matter.
Harrington said that there are two things that make golfers great: how talented they can be and how resilient they can be. This was after severe weather swept out the PNC Championship proam. Usually you get very talented and not very resilient. But you can also become very resilient but not very talented. Tiger has had both, which is unusual for someone who has worked so hard all his career.
So I would never doubt.
His views were not in line with Colin MontgomerieOn a podcast, he stated that Woods cannot win again.
Montgomerie stated, Listen, hes great. But Tiger doesn’t need to get back to the same level as he was performing in 2010. He must improve it. He is constantly improving his standard and there are no one or two men who can beat him. There are 22 men who can beat him. Tiger is trying to get back to his old self, but to reach a level he has never reached before. I dont believe thats possible.
I cant imagine that happening. It would be great for the game and I would love it to happen. I would love to see him win. But I cant imagine it happening.
Woods only played 172 holes this season in tournaments, 162 of which were while walking. He tied for 48th in Masters, withdrew at the third round of the PGA Championship at Southern Hills on a cold day and missed the cut at St. Andrews. He was in a cart last Saturday for the team match with Rory McIlroyAs his partner.
Woods stated in the Bahamas that he didnt have much left in his leg, referring to the right leg that was broken in a Los Angeles car accident in February 2021.
Harrington and Woods met in the third round at the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black 2002. Woods won his second consecutive major. They have been friends ever since, Woods having respect for Harrington’s work ethic.
Harrington used to say that his goal was to see where Harrington stood after 63 holes and then show what he can do on the last nine. He won three majors in 2007 & 2008.
He was inspired by 10 holes of the match last week and the speed Woods displayed in his swing. He thought it was enough power to keep up to todays generation, or at least get him to nine.
The little bit of speed will help his because in the initial 63 holes… youre right, who would like to be coming down against Tiger? Harrington stated. You know he is capable of doing anything at this stage. Hes in a better place to get into those last nine holes.
It takes just 27 holes to reach the last nine at PNC Championship, where Woods is playing for the 3rd time. Woods and Charlie, 13, finished one stroke behind John DalyAnd his son one year ago.
The competition at Ritz Carlton Golf Club Orlando can get serious, but its mostly about the time spent with mothers, fathers, and sons.
Woods is there to make everything feel bigger, no matter how long it takes.
I would say that we will never know how much there is because he continues to do more than we ever thought he could. Stewart Cink said. He continues defying all conceivability.