Can Tiger Woods contend for extra main honours at Southern Hills? Brandel Chamblee, Brad Faxon, Robert Lee and Jamie Spence talk about Woods’ hopes of successful the Wanamaker Trophy; watch stay all through the week on Sky Sports activities Golf
Final Up to date: 18/05/22 5:02pm
Can Tiger Woods problem for a sixteenth main title this week at Southern Hills?
Tiger Woods returns to motion this week on the PGA Championship, however what can we anticipate from the 15-time main champion at Southern Hills?
Woods completed forty seventh at The Masters final month, his first top-level look in practically 17 months after a career-threatening automotive crash, with the previous world No 1 likening his return to “climbing Everest”.
The 46-year-old admitted the aftermath of his efforts on the opening males’s main of the yr “was not enjoyable”, however believes he’ll discover it simpler to play programs which aren’t as undulating as Augusta Nationwide.
Woods has been paired with Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth for the primary two rounds at Southern Hills, the venue the place he received the newest of his 4 PGA Championship titles in 2007, with Brandel Chamblee believing it is nonetheless doable for Woods so as to add to his main tally.
Tiger Woods practises forward of PGA Championship. Woods has not performed competitively since ending forty seventh at The Masters final month
“I do not know if his physique is ever going to let him absolutely do what his thoughts is able to, however beneath the best circumstances it is commonplace for these nice gamers to have their renaissance moments,” Chamblee advised Golf Channel. “You could possibly say Tiger has already his renaissance second on the 2019 Masters however right here is again, he seems to be like he is transferring round superb, the swing seems to be nice and the ball pace his as much as 175mph.
“Victory is now a chance for Tiger once more. Not only one, however two or three. You could possibly see that occuring and you might see him doing it beneath the best circumstances at a significant championship.
With Tiger Woods set to compete on this week’s PGA Championship, try highlights from his 4 earlier wins on the match
“I do not assume Tiger goes to have the posh of what he had in 2007, he’ll should hit that driver extra, however I do assume that the motive force swing he has proper now’s a greater swing than the one he had in 2007.”
A brand new Tiger?
Woods made a formidable begin at The Masters with a one-under 71, placing him in contact with the early lead, earlier than fading with a second-round 74 and back-to-back 78s over the weekend, however former PGA Tour participant Brad Faxon is backing him for an additional robust opening day in Tulsa.
Former skilled golfer Brad Faxon and Sky Sports activities reporter Jamie Weir tackle the difficult take a look at of Southern Hills’ greens forward of the PGA Championship.
“He is hitting it far, his swing seems to be higher and we noticed at The Masters how nicely he drove it, even on the first tee which is often a tricky tee shot for him,” Faxon advised Golf Channel. “I anticipate Tiger to get off to a quick begin – perhaps might we see one thing like we did at Pebble Seashore in 2000, the place he shot 65 and it spurred him on to a historic week.
“I see a mature Tiger Woods proper now. After I listened to him converse you hear somebody listening to his physique. Tiger’s rather more likeable now from followers and different gamers, and I feel he is an individual with want that may be an enormous think about his main championship.
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“I feel he has at all times had the motivation to beat Jack Nicklaus’ data and to win one other main championship. May 18 be presumably in his thoughts? I feel this week goes to be an enormous take a look at for him. I do not assume we’ll ever see the Tiger Woods of outdated, however the brand new Tiger Woods continues to be fairly darn good!”
Historical past in Tiger’s favour?
Woods advised reporters in his pre-tournament press convention that he “positively” looks like he might carry the Wanamaker Trophy, a view echoed by Sky Sports activities’ Robert Lee.
5 weeks on from what Tiger Woods describes as climbing Everest in his return at The Masters, Woods insists he can win the PGA Championship.
“I am telling you, Tiger can do it,” Lee advised the Sky Sports activities Golf podcast. “Tiger can completely play little or no and switch up and compete, as a result of his low season just isn’t like anyone else’s. He’s completely distinctive and he has proven on many events that he could be off for months and switch up and play nicely right away.
“Do not forget about Ben Hogan, who Woods is emulating to a sure extent, with the incredible comeback from practically dying in a automotive crash – there are similarities between the 2 of them.
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“Ben Hogan’s halcyon season was 1953, the place he performed six instances and received 5 of them, together with three majors. That template is there for Tiger, and it is not misplaced on him what Hogan did after a near-fatal automotive accident. I am telling you, he can flip up and compete.”
The world No 818 has solely made 11 official begins since claiming his historic 82nd PGA Tour on the Zozo Championship in October 2019, with Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Spence feeling that his lack of match observe prevents him from being a severe contender.
“He is simply not prepared, is he?” Spence advised the Sky Sports activities Golf podcast. “He did alright at The Masters, however he is 70/1 with the bookmakers, versus 13/8 to when he received in 2007, in order that tells you a narrative.
“It [contending] is extremely unlikely. Let’s hope he can compete and rise up the leaderboard and you’ll’t rule him out, however you are taking a large leap of religion if you take a look at all of the gamers which are enjoying nicely.
“McIlroy is 16/1, Jon Rahm’s received lately, Collin Morikawa is trending, Scottie Scheffler has received 4 instances this yr already, Viktor Hovland is hovering, so it truly is deep by way of expertise.”
Can Tiger Woods contend on the PGA Championship? Watch all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities. Dwell protection begins on Thursday from 1pm on Sky Sports activities Golf.
