Tiger Woods slotting through the gears

World No.1 looking in ominous form ahead of the US Masters at Augusta National

Alex Narey
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published

Tiger Woods insists his game is approaching its best in time for next week’s US Masters at Augusta National.

The World No.1 won his first tournament at the weekend’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill since returning from an enforced seven-month absence due to reconstructive knee surgery. Despite being five shots off the pace and leader Sean O’Hair going into the final round, the 14-time Major winner fought bravely with a series of gusty par and sand saves, and claimed his 66th PGA Tour title by sinking a 16-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole.

The win was his sixth at Bay Hill, and was a timely reminder to his rivals that he remains on course for a 15th Major and fifth Masters Green Jacket in Georgia next weekend. After making his comeback at last month’s WGC Matchplay in Arizona, where he lost in the second round to South African Tim Clark, Woods played steady golf for a tied ninth-place finish at Doral in the CA Championship.

Speaking after his win at Bay Hill, Woods said: “I was hoping I could get my game where I could feel hitting shots again because I’d only been on the range and putting at home. Doral was great because I got better each round. This week I came right out of the gate. I got a lot out of my golf. Good saves, big putts at certain times and that’s what you have to do to score.”

Unsurprisingly, Woods’ odds for the season’s opening Major have been cut since his win, and can be found at a best price of 2/1. World number two, Phil Mickelson, who made clear his intentions to win his third Green Jacket by playing two practice rounds at Augusta earlier this month, is at a best price of 8/1.  

 

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Alex Narey
Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.

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