TIGER WOODS fired his best round since his sex scandal erupted, a six-under par 65, to seize the early lead at The Barclays yesterday in the first competitive round since his divorce.
World number one Woods, who has struggled through the longest win drought of any year in his career, fired seven birdies against a single bogey at Ridgewood Country Club.
Woods, whose split from Elin Nordegren after a humiliating sex scandal was made official on Monday, served notice to rivals that he can still perform at a top level after months of misery.
"It was a lot more difficult than I was letting on,’’ Woods said of his divorce on Wednesday. "Most of the summer was like that. You try to block it out, but yes, at times it was (very painful).’’
Woods has not won in nine events this year, the worst stretch of his fabled career.
The 34-year-old American has gone 10 majors without a title, matching his longest drought.
Just 18 days earlier, Woods finished off the worst 72-hole score of his pro career, an 18-over par 298 at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational, on a course where he had won seven prior titles.
Not since 2003 had Woods fired over par in every round of an event.
But judging by a stunning display yesterday, Woods appears to be back in the prime form that has seen him win 14 major titles, four shy of the all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus.
It should all-but seal his selection for the US Ryder Cup team that will defend the trophy against Europe in October in Wales.
Woods opened yesterday with a birdie and made birdies on every other hole through the seventh, missing a 15-foot eagle putt at the par-4 fifth.
After taking his only bogey of the round at the par-4 12th, Woods answered with back-to-back birdies on the next two holes and closed with a birdie at the par-4 18th.
He holed birdie putts from 14 and 18 feet and showed the consistency he has sought all season. His best showings have been shares of fourth at the US Open and Masters.
"I came back. This is part of my job. It’s what I do,’’ Woods said. "Me coming back and playing golf had nothing to do with our decision to move our separate ways.’’
Woods has been working with swing coach Sean Foley the past few weeks and had some sessions last week at home in Orlando preparing for The Barclays.
"Obviously I will get my game in order, work on some things with Sean and hopefully play well the rest of the year.
"I have to play well to get to next week,’’ Woods said.
"Winning takes care of everything.’’
Asked if this was a lost year given his personal turmoil and inability to win a title, Woods noted that while there were a lot of bad things and he had brought much of it upon himself, there was light at the end of the tunnel.
"I learned a lot about myself and how to be a better person,’’ he said.
"There are a lot of positives."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, August 27, 2010
