Tiger back on track after Open letdown

THE business like nature of Tiger Woods’ Buick Open win on Sunday signalled the world number one has come to terms with his British Open letdown and got his game back on track for the PGA Championship.

Almost overlooked in the outpouring of emotion that surrounded what might have been the final Buick Open was a superb week of steadily improving play from Woods, establishing him as the odds-on-favourite going into the year’s final major at Hazeltine Golf Club later this month.

For the first time in his career, Woods will play back-to-back events before heading into a major and moves on to Akron, Ohio for the World Golf Championship event at Firestone Golf Club where he has won six times.

“I know what I’m doing wrong,” Woods told reporters after collecting his fourth win of the season and 69th of his career. “It’s just a matter of getting enough reps in. Next few days I’ll be able to do that and hopefully solidify come Thursday.

“Firestone’s always a difficult track. If we don’t get any rain down there, it’ll be hard and fast.”

Back in action for the first time since the British Open, where he missed the cut in a major for only the second time as a professional, Woods appeared to suffering from a major hangover when he arrived at Warwick Hills.

After an erratic opening round 71 left him eight shots off the pace Woods hit back in spectacular style with a 63 – his low round of the year – on Friday, followed by a 65 and a bogey free 69 on Sunday.