HOYLAKE, England, 19 July 2006 — Twice champion Tiger Woods believes he is back in the competitive flow for this week’s British Open, despite playing just two tournaments since the death of his father Earl on May 3.
The world No. 1 missed his first cut as a professional in a major at last month’s US Open but lifted his form at the Western Open two weeks ago where he tied for second.
“I feel like I’m back into playing again after taking such a long time off prior to the US Open,” Woods told a news conference yesterday as he prepared for his title defense at Hoylake’s Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
“I took a lot of time off before the US Open and I wasn’t hitting the ball as well as I wanted to in competition.
“Plus it’s the hardest US Open venue we’ve ever played and that made it really difficult,” he added, referring to Winged Foot Golf Club in New York. “But I fixed those mistakes prior to the Western Open and I got back into the competitive flow again.”
Woods, who coasted to his second British Open title by five strokes at St. Andrews last year, relishes playing links course golf.
However, he expects a tough task on a Hoylake layout running fast and firm after several weeks of baking sunshine in north-west England.
“It’s going to be a fantastic challenge this week to play a golf course this fast,” the 10-time major champion said.
“We don’t get a chance to do this very often but when we do it sure brings back shot-making and creativity in the game. Playing an Open championship you always have to hit different shots. And you have to be able to control your golf ball in the air, you have to control your spin.
“But if the wind doesn’t blow, you can make some birdies out here. The par-fives are reachable and there are some short par fours. You can get the ball in pretty close.” Asked whether he had come to terms with the death of his father, Woods replied: “There’s not a day that I don’t think I’ll ever go through life without thinking about my Dad. “I love him dearly. The bond that we’ve had, you know, I think it transcended just a normal parent-child relationship.
“That’s probably why I will think about him more and especially when I’m out here playing and practicing because all the fundamentals that I learned were from him.” Earl had battled prostate cancer since 1998.
Tiger, who was introduced to golf as a young child by Earl, has often attributed his mental toughness in tournaments to his former Green Beret father.
Shiv Kapur Revels in Bollywood Treatment
Shiv Kapur has been enjoying a taste of the Bollywood treatment as he prepares to make his British Open debut here this week.
The 24-year-old, who will become the fourth Indian player to feature in the world’s oldest major, has been signing autographs and basking in the appreciation of the Hoylake crowds.
“It’s great being here,” said Kapur, who will emulate the achievement of compatriots Gaurav Ghei, Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa.
“The whole town is buzzing with the Open.
“People make you feel like you’re a movie celebrity and all the kids want your autograph, which is good. But after a while, you need to keep your eye on the game. I think this is all part of being here and it’s awesome.”
“I have watched The Open all my life on TV and I don’t think I will realize what it is all about until I step onto the first tee tomorrow.
“Even during the practice rounds, the atmosphere is great but I think the real deal only comes tomorrow, Friday and through the weekend. I think experiencing that will be magic.”
Kapur, who booked his place at Hoylake via the Asian qualifying competition, has already drawn positive reviews from former US Masters champion Fred Couples, who played with him in Perth, Australia earlier this year.
“He’s like Justin Leonard,” Couples said of Kapur. “I like the way he plays and I think he will do really well.”
