Golfing legend Tiger Woods says he is inching closer to getting back to his best, after his second-placed finish at the Valspar Championship last weekend.
Woods has suffered multiple back surgeries over the past few years, heavily impacting his game and making many worried he would never get back to his best.
However, the 14-time major winner says he is finally feeling better, despite conceding he has been forced to make adjustments in his game.
“I’m still progressing,” Woods told SEN Breakfast.
“I’m still learning this new body and what it can do.
“It is different, as I was explaining, I can’t create the same angles as I used to.
“I can’t hit the same shots as I used to the way I used to do it.
“My back being fused, I just can’t rotate like that.
“So I need to find different ways to hit golf shots, it’s been a tough challenge, but I’m starting to see the fruits of my labour.
“Things are starting to come around, I’m being able to hit golf shots consistently.
“The shape and trajectory I’m looking for, and it is just a matter of time before I put it all together.”
Woods shot nine-under in the Valspar Championship, and he says it was fantastic to get back into the competitive mindset late in a tournament.
“Playing the last, it felt good to have an opportunity to force a playoff,” he said.
“Just to be in the mix again…it has been so long since I’ve been a part of a golf tournament on the back nine on a Sunday.
“It felt so great to be a part of it again.”
The final round of the Valspar Championship attracted a US TV rating of 5.1, the highest number in the tournament’s history and one that beat every PGA Championship telecast since 2014 (6.0), U.S. Open telecast since 2013 (6.1), and every British Open telecast since 2000 (7.5), according to Sports Media Watch.
The glimpse of Woods’ best slowly returning has made many believe he is a chance to win next month’s US Masters.
However, the 42-year-old’s mind isn’t on the Masters yet, saying his sole focus is on this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“Post Arnold Palmer, then I’ll start focusing on The Masters,” Woods said.
“As of right now, I’m focused on getting ready for Arnold’s event here this week.
“The last time I played here was in 2013 when I won, so it’s been a long time since I played Arnold’s event and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Woods and South African Ernie Els have been announced as 2019 Presidents Cup captains, with the event set to take place at Royal Melbourne next year.
Els told SEN Breakfast he would try to fit as many Australians as he can into the team.
It is rare captains participate in the Presidents Cup as players, but Woods is a chance, if he continues his positive comeback path.
Listen to Tiger Woods' chat with Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on SEN Breakfast in the player below!