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AUGUSTA, Georgia – Tiger Woods got emotional on Tuesday as he spoke about his 2019 Masters victory, recounting the scene as he played the 18th hole at Augusta National, being moved by onlookers chanting his name, then kissing his children behind the green .
“I still get chills thinking about it,” he said. “Then I walked out from the back of the green, to see [his son] Charlie over there, just opened up to our arms, that meant a lot to me and still does. It reminded me so much of me and my dad [Earl in 1997], and coming full circle like that, it still gives me… you know, a little bit of tears. “
Such a scenario could not play out the same way at the postponed Masters of this year, which for the first time is played out in November due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The fact that Woods will start his title defense from the 10th hole is just another reminder that it’s a different year. Thanks to less daylight, the Masters abandons its usual first start for all competitors for a scenario with two starts, morning and afternoon. He starts play at 7:55 a.m. Thursday, also much earlier than usual.
What kind of play Woods brings to the 84th Masters is a mystery, given his lackluster form for most of 2020. In six tournament starts since play resumed in June, Woods has done no better than a tie. for the 37th and was not in contention over the weekend.
“I didn’t put all the pieces together at the same time, either to drive well or to hit my irons badly,” he said. “Or I put the ball hitting together, and I didn’t do well. And then I got it where I did well and hit it badly. I didn’t play much. , obviously. “
“But he’s getting ready for the big leagues and trying to figure out what we have to face, this year with COVID and trying to be safe, and I was hesitant to come back and start playing, and that’s why I waited as long as I did and got back to Memorial. From there I haven’t really put all the pieces together, and hopefully it will be this week. “
Woods visited Augusta National on October 31 and was back here on Sunday, following the same routine he did when preparing for a one-shot win 19 months ago over Dustin Johnson, Xander Sc Heater and Brooks Koepka.
He played the first nine on Sunday, using only a putter and wedge to work on his short game. He played the last nine Monday with Fred Couples, Justin Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau. Tuesday was a practice day, and Wednesday should be a top nine practice round.
A good sign concerns the way Woods wants to hit the ball and his health. Over the years, Woods has maintained that he is working on a draw – not his natural shot – for various tee shots on the course, like the 10th and 13th holes. This was worked out at the right time last year, and from what he said on Tuesday, it is the same now.
“I was working on some of the things that I was working on last year as we approach the event, being able to pull off a high draw,” he said. “My body feels better than last year so it was a little easier to hit those shots. I hope this year I will be as consistent as last year. Last year I have was able to hit a lot of very good iron shots and put in a really good putt.
“Today I did a bit of work on the greens, like I did last year. I took off on Tuesday and didn’t play. I tried to get a feel for the greens, and the greens were a bit slower than me. With the rains coming and the forecast, you never know.
“It’s one of the interesting things to try to figure out this tournament from Wednesday to Thursday, this golf course changes a lot and what the committee is doing. I hope I have the same feeling as last year and put it all together. together.”
One thing he won’t be able to replicate is the atmosphere. Due to coronavirus restrictions, there will likely be fewer than 700 people on the course at any one time. There are no ropes, chairs, or stands.
And so, no joy.
“They helped me win,” Woods said of the fans. “The support I had, the energy that was around the property, was electric that day.
“We all miss the energy of the crowd. And yes, this year is going to be very different. What we’re seeing, our sights on the greens, the energy that you hear from different roars, from different parts is going to be striking. from the golf course. “
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