http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/go...hape-to-be-a-contender-warns-Matt-Kuchar.html
[h=1]The Open 2014: Tiger Woods looks in good shape to be a contender, warns Matt Kuchar[/h][h=2]Three-time Open champion Tiger Woods has recovered well from back surgery and looks capable of repeating his win at Hoylake in 2006, according to Matt Kuchar[/h]<!-- Opta Widget start --><!-- Opta Widget end -->
Crowd pleaser: Tiger Woods was in a relaxed mood during a practice round ahead of the Open at Hoylake Photo: GETTY
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By James Corrigan, Hoylake
12:42AM BST 14 Jul 2014
Matt Kuchar thought Tiger Woods was “crazy” to come back only three months after his back surgery. Yet after playing with the 14-time major winner in a practice round here on Sunday, Kuchar believes his Presidents Cup partner can, at the very least, “contend” in the 143rd Open Championship this week.
Woods delighted the large crowds who gathered on the Wirral links to witness the return of the man who made their week in 2006 so special.
Going out with Kuchar at 12pm, Woods appeared relaxed as he prepared for the first round on Thursday, which will be just his third 18 holes of competitive golf since the start of March following his microdiscectomy. “Tiger was impressive,” Kuchar said.
“I thought he was crazy to come back as early as he did but he said he thought it was the right thing to do, to test it and see how fit he is. He said he’s recovering well, that after playing he gets up the next day and feels good. We had a little match going and on the last hole he duly stuffed one in there close from 160 yards to beat me, so that was a bit of a bummer but totally like the Tiger we’re used to seeing. So contend? I absolutely think he can. The British Open, the knowledge he has, the skill set he has – yeah, he can definitely contend.”
There was one errant approach, when on the 16th, Woods hit a spectator on the back, but a signed ball made up for any discomfort. On this evidence, Woods has already set out his game plan and it will be similar to the driverless strategy which won him his third Claret Jug, despite the different conditions this time around.
Overnight rain meant the Royal Liverpool links was even more lush and green to when Woods arrived on Saturday evening, a stark contrast to the burnt brown of eight years ago. Yet Woods did not pull out his driver all day, instead employing his three-wood when he had to, but in the main using his two-iron. Kuchar explained why. “I wasn’t here in 2006 so cannot compare, but what I can say is that although it is greener than I expected it is still running fast,” Kuchar said.
Gary Woodland, who joined Kuchar and Woods during their round, concurred, even though he could only chip and putt; his clubs having been delayed in transit. “I didn’t see where I would hit many drivers out there,” the big-hitter said. “Tiger used some three-woods and looked like he was striping it well.”
Their positive comments were in stark contrast to those of Sir Nick Faldo. The Englishman believes that Woods should have played another prep event after missing the cut at the Quicken Loans National two weeks ago. “He’s played two rounds and thinks he’s ready. He left Congressional saying he knew what to work on, so we’ll see,” Faldo said.
“He looked rusty at Congressional, and you’ve got to be rusty after that sort of break. You’ve got to get out there and play. It sounds confusing when he says he needs reps and then doesn’t play.”
The debate will go on until the championship begins – can Woods possibly a factor? The likes of Adam Scott, Jason Day and Lee Westwood were making their way around the links on Sunday, happy that Woods was back to monopolise the spotlight.
Yes, the superstar is commanding the focus and his rivals are already being affected. “I expected a nice quiet practice round today,” Kuchar said, with a smile. “But that’s never going to happen when you’re playing with Tiger Woods.”
[h=1]The Open 2014: Tiger Woods looks in good shape to be a contender, warns Matt Kuchar[/h][h=2]Three-time Open champion Tiger Woods has recovered well from back surgery and looks capable of repeating his win at Hoylake in 2006, according to Matt Kuchar[/h]<!-- Opta Widget start --><!-- Opta Widget end -->
<!-- remove the whitespace added by escenic before end of tag -->
By James Corrigan, Hoylake
12:42AM BST 14 Jul 2014
Matt Kuchar thought Tiger Woods was “crazy” to come back only three months after his back surgery. Yet after playing with the 14-time major winner in a practice round here on Sunday, Kuchar believes his Presidents Cup partner can, at the very least, “contend” in the 143rd Open Championship this week.
Woods delighted the large crowds who gathered on the Wirral links to witness the return of the man who made their week in 2006 so special.
Going out with Kuchar at 12pm, Woods appeared relaxed as he prepared for the first round on Thursday, which will be just his third 18 holes of competitive golf since the start of March following his microdiscectomy. “Tiger was impressive,” Kuchar said.
“I thought he was crazy to come back as early as he did but he said he thought it was the right thing to do, to test it and see how fit he is. He said he’s recovering well, that after playing he gets up the next day and feels good. We had a little match going and on the last hole he duly stuffed one in there close from 160 yards to beat me, so that was a bit of a bummer but totally like the Tiger we’re used to seeing. So contend? I absolutely think he can. The British Open, the knowledge he has, the skill set he has – yeah, he can definitely contend.”
There was one errant approach, when on the 16th, Woods hit a spectator on the back, but a signed ball made up for any discomfort. On this evidence, Woods has already set out his game plan and it will be similar to the driverless strategy which won him his third Claret Jug, despite the different conditions this time around.
Overnight rain meant the Royal Liverpool links was even more lush and green to when Woods arrived on Saturday evening, a stark contrast to the burnt brown of eight years ago. Yet Woods did not pull out his driver all day, instead employing his three-wood when he had to, but in the main using his two-iron. Kuchar explained why. “I wasn’t here in 2006 so cannot compare, but what I can say is that although it is greener than I expected it is still running fast,” Kuchar said.
Gary Woodland, who joined Kuchar and Woods during their round, concurred, even though he could only chip and putt; his clubs having been delayed in transit. “I didn’t see where I would hit many drivers out there,” the big-hitter said. “Tiger used some three-woods and looked like he was striping it well.”
Their positive comments were in stark contrast to those of Sir Nick Faldo. The Englishman believes that Woods should have played another prep event after missing the cut at the Quicken Loans National two weeks ago. “He’s played two rounds and thinks he’s ready. He left Congressional saying he knew what to work on, so we’ll see,” Faldo said.
“He looked rusty at Congressional, and you’ve got to be rusty after that sort of break. You’ve got to get out there and play. It sounds confusing when he says he needs reps and then doesn’t play.”
The debate will go on until the championship begins – can Woods possibly a factor? The likes of Adam Scott, Jason Day and Lee Westwood were making their way around the links on Sunday, happy that Woods was back to monopolise the spotlight.
Yes, the superstar is commanding the focus and his rivals are already being affected. “I expected a nice quiet practice round today,” Kuchar said, with a smile. “But that’s never going to happen when you’re playing with Tiger Woods.”
