Tiger Woods to be paired with Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy for first two rounds of PGA Championship

TULSA, Okla. — When Tiger Woods carried out the Masters in April, his first official PGA Tour event in nearly 17 months after nearly dropping his correct leg in a vehicle accident, he talked about he felt like he was climbing Mount Everest.

“That’s the steepest golf course you’ll play and that was the first one you climbed — and climbed it,” Woods talked about all through a data conference Tuesday. “It ought to get flatter and better.”

Now, nearly six weeks later, Woods will attempt to win the PGA Championship for the fifth time when play begins at Southern Hills Nation Membership on Thursday. Whereas Southern Hills will not be as steep and rolling as Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, it’s hardly flat Oklahoma farmland.

Woods, a 15-time major champion, will play in a featured group with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth inside the first two rounds. The threesome will tee off on No. 10 at 9:11 a.m. ET in Thursday’s first spherical and on No. 1 at 2:36 p.m. Friday inside the second.

Completely different featured groups embrace Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa, the very best three avid gamers inside the Official World Golf Score. They might tee off on No. 1 at 2:36 p.m. ET on Thursday and on No. 10 at 9:11 a.m. Friday. Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas will tee off on No. 1 at 2:14 p.m. ET on Thursday and on No. 10 at 8:49 a.m. Friday.

McIlroy, who will attempt to win his first major championship since 2014, expects Woods to be inside the mix this week.

“Six weeks is an prolonged adequate time to get higher from that week after which assemble your self once more up as soon as extra,” McIlroy talked about. “He positively hasn’t chosen two of the best walks in golf to return once more to, Augusta and proper right here. Nonetheless no, he’s stubborn, he’s determined. That’s what he lives for. He lives for these major championships, and if he believes he can get spherical 18 holes, he believes he can win.”

Woods, 46, last gained the PGA Championship at Southern Hills in 2007. One different victory would give him 83 victories in his PGA Tour occupation, which could break his tie with Sam Snead for a lot of all time.

“We’re all joyful that Tiger is true right here, clearly,” Rahm talked about Tuesday. “We’re terribly joyful. Who would have talked about over a 12 months up to now that he may very well be competing in major championships as soon as extra? … You perceive, he’s Tiger. He’s a competitor. He’ll try and win every single time, and anytime he tees up, the world wants him to win.”

Woods will be having fun with in his second official event since he was critically injured in a vehicle wreck exterior Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2021. He accomplished forty seventh on the Masters in April. After taking photos 1-under 71 inside the first spherical, he shot 6-over 78 in each of the ultimate two rounds, his worst scores on the Masters. His limp was additional noticeable on the weekend; unseasonably chilly temperatures didn’t help his potentialities, each.

“It was hurting nonetheless I pushed by it,” Woods talked about. “It was additional ideas than physique. I discussed, ‘I’ve gained with a broken leg sooner than. Keep it up going in the marketplace, keep pushing. I perceive find out how to play the golf course.’ Nonetheless it was a type of points, the issue that I was irritated with is it deteriorated as a result of the week went on. I obtained more and more drained and additional fatigued. I didn’t have the endurance that I wanted.”

With six additional weeks of labor, Woods thinks he has a possibility to win one different Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday.

“I actually really feel like I can, undoubtedly,” Woods talked about. “I merely should go in the marketplace and do it. I’ve to do my work. Begins on Thursday and I can be ready.”

There may even be loads consideration this week on Spieth, who will be making an attempt to complete the occupation Grand Slam by worthwhile the PGA Championship. At 28 years earlier, Spieth may very well be the third youngest to carry out the feat inside the Masters interval, behind solely Woods (24) and Jack Nicklaus (26).