Categories
LIV Tour

Phil Mickelson: “I’m ready to come back”

On February 22, Phil Mickelson spoke out on Twitter and announced a break from professional golf. Since then, he hasn’t played an official tournament and took time out with his family to reflect on his critical statements towards the PGA Tour. After much speculation about when Mickelson would finally return to the big stage, there is now certainty: the American will make his comeback at the opening event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series in London.

Phil Mickelson speaks of a “fresh start”

These were certainly not pleasant times for Phil Mickelson, who had to take some criticism after his statements about the PGA Tour. So it’s no wonder that he needed time for himself in recent months and, according to his own statements, was also undergoing therapy. However, it seems that exactly this has helped him, because in a statement on his Twitter account, the 51-year-old confirms that he now feels “healthy and much calmer”. He also apologized again to his fans for his lapses, but is aware that he still has a long way to go.

However, a fresh start from a sporting perspective will come sooner than some might have thought: “I’m ready to return to play the game I love, but after 32 years, this path is a fresh start for me” By fresh start, Mickelson is referring to the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series, confirming in his statement, “I’m very excited to be starting with LIV Golf.”

Fans criticize his decision

The first event of Greg Norman’s newly founded series will start on June 9 at the Centurion Club in London. In addition to Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer will also be among the participants. Although Mickelson has already apologized in advance to his fans for this move, many criticize him for his decision. “I fully realize and respect that some disagree with this decision and have strong opinions, and I understand that” Mickelson wrote on Twitter.

Fans accuse him of being money-hungry and also vent their displeasure on social media:

According to speculation, Mickelson has signed a contract that is expected to pay him around $200 million. However, there is no official confirmation of this.

Tiger Woods rejects immoral offer

In addition to Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman apparently also wanted to poach Tiger Woods from the PGA Tour for his newly founded league. In an interview with the Washington Post, the Australian confirmed that Woods had been made an “incredibly high offer. However, the 15-time major winner declined. Just how enormous the offer really was becomes clear when Norman goes into more detail about the figures: “We’re talking about a high nine-figure sum here.” How high the sum really was will probably remain a secret. However, it is not unlikely that it went in the direction of $1 billion. By way of comparison, during his time as a professional athlete, Tiger Woods earned around $121 million on the world’s golf courses.

Categories
LIV Tour

For Saudi League: Dustin Johnson gives up PGA Tour membership

Dustin Johnson has resigned his membership on the PGA Tour to play in the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series, according to the BBC. The tour, run by Greg Norman, lures American and European stars with horrendous entry bonuses and prize money beyond that of the four major tournaments. This week, the first tournament of the “Saudi League” is scheduled to take place in London. Martin Kaymer and Bernd Wiesberger are also on the start list.

Johnson reportedly signed a contract that commits him to playing in all eight tournaments, starting with Thursday’s at the Centurion Club in London. The BBC quotes the 37-year-old as saying, “I don’t want to play for the rest of my life. This gives me the opportunity to do what I want to do.” The two-time major winner has earned nearly $75 million in prize money alone so far in his career.

Before Johnson, Kevin Na had already declared he would rest his membership on the PGA Tour and tee off this week in the controversial tour’s first tournament. Phil Mickelson has also announced that he will compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Series after a five-month break. What consequences this will have for the players on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour has not yet been finally clarified. The PGA Tour had always threatened to ban the renegades for life. So far, there have been no statements from Europe’s top circuit as to how those players who actually play in London will be dealt with. For the American Ryder Cup team, “DJ” will probably no longer be allowed to compete. “The Ryder Cup is incredible and has meant a lot to me, but in the end I made the decision that was best for me and my family,” Johnson said.

Categories
LPGA Tour

Two months after surgery: Is Nelly Korda about to make a comeback?

Nelly Korda, former number two in women’s golf is probably on the verge of her comeback. The 23-year-old was diagnosed with a blood clot in her left arm three months ago, after complaining of pain in her left arm at a press event in early March. After successful surgery in April, she was on the road to recovery, but there was no talk of a return to the LPGA Tour until now. Now there is news from Nelly Korda’s side. GolfCentral announced in a Twitter post on May 26, 2022, that Korda would attend the press conference for the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open in Southern Pines, North Carolina, a possible sign of her start at this important major in the women’s golf world.

Is Nelly Korda’s time off from the LPGA Tour over?

Korda won a total of four LPGA Tour titles last year, including her first major victory at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, as well as the gold medal at the Olympics. That’s when the unwanted time off due to the blood clot was a major blow to the young golfer. But just three months after the diagnosis and two months after surgery, she could now celebrate her return to the LPGA Tour. Because in addition to the announced press conference in the run-up to the tournament, she showed up again on Instagram with golf clubs on the driving range.

Although the American continues to wear a supportive sleeve on her operated left arm, her swing is promising. And sister Jessica Korda is also confident that she will soon be able to welcome her sister back to the tour. “It’s like you never left!” the elder Korda sister commented under the video.

Categories
Training

Two weeks after surgery: Bryson DeChambeau trains one-handed

Two weeks ago, Bryson DeChambeau underwent surgery on his left hand, and now he’s back on the golf course. But even “The Hulk” has not made a miraculous recovery after this short time, but uses an unusual technique to hit a few balls despite his handicap. On the video platform TikTok, he presents his attempts at a one-armed golf swing – with success, mind you. As unusual as it may seem at first, the exercise makes perfect sense.

“DeChambeau out-hits our group one-handed”

First, DeChambeau posted a video from the driving range on Monday. You can see (of course) a drive of the longhitter, including the spin of the club after the shot.

But that was not the end of the story for DeChambeau. Together with former NFL kicker Josh Scobee, they went out for a round of golf and there, too, DeChambeau showed that you can also make up a few yards with just your right hand. His teammate’s comment: “No big deal, just Bryson DeChambeau hitting the ball one-handed past our group.”

Playing with one hand as a useful training method

Regardless of whether it is forced or voluntary, it makes sense to play one-handed strokes from time to time. Due to the lack of support from the second hand, the muscle groups are used more during the stroke and the swing movement occurs more consciously. In addition, the stability in the core of the body is strengthened and due to the higher strain on the muscles, the strength training for more length is also included. To train on the range with this technique you don’t need any special equipment, just a golf club and a few balls.
To start, it should be a short iron. With this iron, you first make a few practice swings with the right hand and focus especially on the movement of the shoulders, hips and back. A little tip: For more control over the club, you can grip a little lower than usual. Then follow up with a few strokes with the ball, keeping the unused hand on the hip or back. Repeat with the left hand before hitting a few balls with both hands and the normal golf grip.

Categories
European Tour

DP World Tour touches down in Europe for ISPS Handa Championship

The DP World Tour touches down in Europe for the first time in the 2022 season, as the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain marks the first of two successive events on Spanish soil.

Bernd Wiesberger, Guido Migliozzi and Ewen Ferguson – winner of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the last DP World Tour event aside from the Masters Tournament – are among those teeing it up at the stunning Infinitum just outside the Catalonian city of Tarragona.

Pablo Larrazábal returns home for the first time since claiming his sixth DP World Tour title at last month’s MyGolfLife Open hosted by Pecanwood in South Africa, while Alejandro Cañizares and Zander Lombard – who shared victory when Qualifying School Final Stage was held here in 2018 – as well as the 2019 Qualifying School winner at Infinitum, Benjamin Poke, are also in the field.

This week’s event will be followed by the Catalunya Championship at PGA Catalunya Golf and Wellness, while October will also see back-to-back Spanish events, the acciona Open de España presented by Madrid at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid and the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters at Real Club Valderrama.

Bernd Wiesberger: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a little bit too long by about a week or so for my liking, but unfortunately I wans’t able to sneak into the Match Play at Austin so I had a week there without any tournaments.

“It was nice to be home obviously for three weeks but it just felt like after the season started with a nice run of events, I had a bit too long of a break but it is what it is and I tried to get ready as much as I could and I’m really looking forward to playing here for the first time.

“It’s a really good track to start what will be a good run of events through the year on the DP World Tour. I’ve tried to get some info from the guys who have been here at Qualifying School, and it is has been quite low scoring in the past.

“But I think they’ve done a really good job to trick it up for us. The rough is up, it’s quite penal, you need to be good off the tee and the fairways aren’t super-wide. It looks like there will be a bit of wind and the greens are quite firm so all that adds up to be a good test. You need to get yourself in good positions and I like that, so I’m looking forward to a strong test.

“First two weeks of the year were disappointing. I played well on the Sunday in Abu Dhabi but I just didn’t finish off the round well enough to clinch a top five. Sunday in Dubai was really tricky and I couldn’t find anything on the greens and everything just added up to shots lost.

“I’m not quite satisfied with the start. I definitely played some good golf at the Valspar Championship on the PGA TOUR but there’s plenty of good stuff. It just needs to be bundled up into four good rounds, it’s a building process and all of the parts of the game are there so it’s just a matter of time before it all clicks. I’m looking forwards to when that happens and hopefully I can give it a go this week.”

Ewen Ferguson: “I definitely feel very comfortable in my own skin. I had for the last little while too, but it’s nice mentally in your own head to feel like you’ve won here and you’ve got across the line for the first time. I know I can do it again so hopefully if I’m in that situation another time, I’ll know I’ve done it so I’m sure it will help me a stand me in good stead.

“It’s definitely sunk in now and I feel like I’m ready to move on from it and I’m ready to move on from it to be honest and get my game in order and get ready to compete again so I’ve been doing a lot of work the past few days to keep my game sharp and hopefully that will pay off this week.

“I had so much to do with the people who have helped me a long the way so I’ve spent a lot of time with them and given them my time and let them know how thankful I was, and then I had some media in Scotland so I dealt with all of that.

“I had a couple of nights out with friends and family, nothing too crazy. Then I had some football games supporting Rangers, so it was good fun.”

Pablo Larrazábal: “It has been three weeks at home, but I had a tournament in my home course, El Prat, called the Barcelona Open by Pablo Larrazabal that I held on the PGA of Spain. It has been a nice three weeks at home. Infinitum is one hour and 15 minutes up the road, so I came this morning. It is nice to see my caddie again, my friends and see the people in my second home.

“I am ready to go. I have been playing great, been practising great at home. There is nothing wrong with three weeks at home. To keep the momentum, you have to keep working and keep the routines going. That is all about preparation.

“Well, as a professional golfer you have to realise that you are an entertainer. You are a sportsman but mostly we are entertainers. The first year to 16 months of golf during the Covid-19 pandemic were tough. As I said to you, I am an entertainer of people and we were not. We played 16 months with no crowds and that didn’t help my golf, my attitude at all. To play for money is not the way I play golf nowadays.

“There is history around here but when I was growing up here in Tarragona, we were playing Reus that is nearby, we were playing Costa that is up north. I never played this golf course before. Today is my first nine holes out here.

“I came here four years ago to see a couple of friends on the last day of the Final Stage at Q-School. Those are my only two days at this course. But after nine holes you realise how good this golf course is and the conditions are brilliant. Hopefully the rain stays away from here so that we can see how good the work is of the groundsmen.

“There are a lot of lakes, but you guys know me. I have been on Tour for 15 years; I didn’t come here for holidays and to make business you have to make birdies. Birdies are going to bring you trophies. That is why we came and that is how I play golf.”

Text: DP World Tour

Categories
Equipment

Jordan Spieth signs equipment deal until 2029

Jordan Spieth has been an integral part of the Under Armour team since 2013. The then 19-year-old golfer, mind you without a PGA Tour card, signed with the textile manufacturer and has remained with it to this day. Now Under Armour is extending its profitable deal with Spieth for another four years. The American will wear the brand’s golf shoes, clothing and accessories until 2029.

Jordan Spieth: “Under Armour took a chance on me”

“I was just leaving school and I guess in other sports I would have been considered a high draft pick, but at the same time I didn’t have PGA Tour status, which in golf means everything,” Spieht explained. The then 19-year-old had recently turned pro and has been playing at Under Armour ever since. He currently has a ten-year deal, which has now been extended by another four. The decisive factor for this is probably his victory at the RBC Heritage in mid-April.

“I’ve really enjoyed being on this journey with Under Armour since I turned pro, and I can’t wait to accomplish great things together in this next phase of my career,” Spieth said. “Like me, everyone at Under Armour challenges themselves to get better every day. I’m looking forward to continuing to test their newest innovations as I know their products will help me train and perform my best for years to come.”

Golfing for a good cause

In addition to the partnership extension, Under Armour will also support the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation with one million dollars (just under 920 thousand euros) over the next eight years. The non-profit organization under Spieth’s patronage aims to make it easier for young people to get into golf. It awards scholarships and creates open golf programs for young people. The focus is particularly on breaking down socio-economic barriers and thus making it easier to get into the sport. Spieth commented, “I think access is a big thing in golf. It’s a game that I love. So, I figure maybe there’s some people that don’t know that they love it yet. It’s a game that gets you outside. It’s active. It gets you moving around. And I think that’s obviously very healthy, no matter what background, or who you are.”

Under Armour looks forward to continued collaboration

Sean Eggert, vice president of sales at Under Armour, said, “We are incredibly honored to continue our relationship with Spieth in the years to come. He is an athlete who truly embodies what it means to strive for more. Jordan’s future is bright, as evidenced by his spectacular performance at Hilton Head this weekend, and we look forward to joining him on this journey as he continues to grow with us, challenge us and make us even better at what we do. We couldn’t be more proud to have him on our team.”

Categories
Live

Greg Norman and the Saudi Golf League: “We’re in talks with major winners”

Shortly after the US Masters 2022, the Saudi Golf League (SGL) is making headlines again. Just a few kilometers from Augusta National Golf Club, Greg Norman is said to have met with potential players of the new league. Among them were some high-profile members of the PGA and European Tour. “The interest we’ve had … Well, I had a player sitting in my office 48 hours ago who’s won a couple of major majors,” Norman told the Telegraph in an April 12, 2022, interview. The PGA and DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) are not pleased: “They can’t park their tanks on our turf much more obviously.”

The first names are fixed

The turmoil surrounding Phil Mickelson and the various cancellations of PGA stars, including Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa, set back the Saudi Golf League. Greg Norman revealed in an interview with The Telegraph, “It was a slap in the face, no question about it.” But Norman is not letting that get him down. According to him, interest in SGL continues unabated. “We respected the Masters and let it play out, but now our trip [ed. to Augusta] is finally coming to fruition – for the players, not for me,” Norman told the newspaper. “They have a right to get what they want. That’s why they’re still very, very, very interested. We have players under contract, as opposed to the white noise you hear out there.” Four of those players are said to be Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, as well as five-time PGA Tour winner Kevin Na and two-time major winner Bubba Watson. The latter, however, made it clear only a few hours after the publication of the interview with Greg Norman that he would continue to play on the PGA Tour.

Bubba Watson prefers US Open and 150th Open over Saudi League

The former world number two recently published his tournament schedule for the coming months. What is striking is not the tournaments he is playing, but which ones he is foregoing. Bubba Watson has been linked to the Saudi League in the past, but now he’s playing the RBC Canadian Open, as he revealed on Twitter. The tournament stands out from his tournament schedule because the first of eight events in the LIV Golf Internation Series starts in London at the same time. Watson’s goal, he said, is to qualify for the US Open and the 150th Open Championship. If he succeeds in doing so, Watson said there will be further changes to his tournament schedule.

Greg Norman remains convinced of the concept of the Saudi Golf League

“Honestly, it doesn’t matter who plays, we’re going to run the event,” he said. “There is a first prize of $4 million. I hope a junior player who is ranked 350th in the world wins. It will change his life, his family’s life. And then a couple of our events will go by and the top players will see someone win $6 million or $8 million and say, ‘Enough is enough, I know I can beat these guys week after week with my hands tied behind my back.” The first event addressed will be held in two months at the London Centurion Club. After that, it’s off to the U.S., among other places, where Greg Norman and SGL are guests at the Trump courses, which are outlawed by the PGA.

Two world number one to join SGL

This was reported by the Daily Mail, also at the beginning of the week. The report says that SGL has already recruited two former world number one players, names were not mentioned. After the withdrawal of world stars such as Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, it is unclear who the players mentioned will be.

Categories
Highlights Tours

US Masters 2022: Billy Horschel flips again

Billy Horschel already made headlines a year ago when he demolished his bag in a fit of rage during the fourth round of the US Masters 2021. An official apology to the organizers and the Augusta National Golf Club followed. But this year, Horschel is again unable to control his temper at the 2022 US Masters and is causing a stir with his behavior.

Frustrated Billy Horschel throws bats

This year, it was not the American’s bag that had to be used, but his racket. After another unsuccessful shot in his third round, Horschel threw the club away. His iron shot on the first hole of the Amen Corner (hole 11) failed and landed in the water. Afterward, Horschel, in a fit of anger over the penalty stroke, threw the club off himself.
Just last year, he apologized on the social network Twitter for his behavior on the golf course:
“I am and always have been a fiery competitor. Unfortunately, sometimes the fire inside me runs hot when I don’t get the most out of my game. This leads to some cases where my behavior is not what I want to show, especially as a role model for the younger generation,” Billy Horschel affirmed on Twitter.

“I apologize to Augusta National, the members of the club and the spectators for any behavior that may have crossed the line.

On the Internet, he now promptly reaps the first comments for his renewed outburst:

Things had already been mixed for Horschel. He started with a bogey on hole 1, but then made a few birdies. After his freak out on the eleventh hole, however, he seemed unable to catch himself. A birdie on hole 12 followed, but after that it remained four bogeys and a double bogey to finish the round.

Categories
Uncategorized

Tiger Woods at US Masters 2022: “I believe I can win”

Finally it is official, Tiger Woods will compete this year at the US Masters 2022. In the press conference on 05.04.2022 he confirms what many have wished for and some have already suspected. But Tiger goes even further and even does not exclude a possible victory. In the interview, the golf legend also talks about the difficult path to the Masters and how he was able to take this incredible step, only 14 months after his accident.

Tiger Woods Interview at the US Masters 2022

THE MODERATOR: Good morning, everyone. It’s a pleasure to see all of you here today, and it is a very special pleasure to welcome back to our media center our five-time Masters champion and the most recent inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Tiger, it is great seeing you, and we appreciate the time you’re spending with us today.

TIGER WOODS: Thank you, Rob. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since I won here, but it’s great to be back and be able to feel the energy and the excitement of the patrons again. I hadn’t seen them since when I won, and obviously we had a COVID year and I missed last year. So it was neat to feel that energy out there on the golf course yesterday.

Hopefully this storm blows out of here, and we get to have a great week.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you. We join in celebrating your 25th anniversary of your first win because it was a transformational win and it changed forever the world of golf. So looking back is quite special.

TIGER WOODS: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Last year at the 2021 tournament, all of us missed Tiger Woods greatly, and you and your family were in our thoughts and prayers for the next 14 months hoping for a complete and total recovery. It is great seeing you here today.

Q. Hi, Tiger. Are you surprised at all where you are right now physically? I think a lot of people are surprised that you’re here and giving it a try. How about you?

TIGER WOODS: I’ve worked hard. My team has been unbelievable. I’ve been lucky to have great surgeons and great PTs and physios that have worked on me virtually every day. We’ve worked hard to get to this point, to get to this opportunity to walk the grounds, test it out, and see if I can do this.

It’s been a tough, tough year and a lot of stuff that I had to deal with that I don’t wish on anyone, but here we are, Masters week. Being able to play and practice — for me, more importantly, just to say thank you to all the guys that have texted me, FaceTimed me, and called me and given me all their support, to see them in person and to say thank you has meant a lot.

US Masters 2022 with Tiger Woods? It’s a yes!

Q. Tiger, when will you decide whether you can play and what determines that?

TIGER WOODS: Well, as of right now, I feel like I am going to play, as of right now. I’m going to play nine more holes tomorrow. My recovery has been good. I’ve been very excited about how I’ve recovered each and every day, and that’s been the challenge. That’s why I came up here and tested it out for 27 holes because we play the par-3 course. Charlie couldn’t help himself. I was able to play 27 holes that day and at home testing it.

But it’s the recovery. How am I going to get all the swelling out and recover for the next day. My team has been fantastic and worked very hard. So we’ve got another day of nine more holes and then come game time.

Q. How much physical pain do you have to endure playing golf?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, there is. There is each and every day. Obviously given what I’ve gone through with my back and obviously with my right leg. Yeah, there is each and every day.

Q. How much does that take away from your ability to play, or have you just mentally overcome it or have to overcome it every time you play?

TIGER WOODS: It’s been one of those things where I’ve had to endure pain before. This is different obviously. This is a lot more traumatic, what has transpired to my leg. We’ve had to put a lot of work. As I said, I’m very thankful to my surgeons and my PTs and physios that have worked on me and have given me this opportunity to play golf.

Q. Tiger, just go back to Sunday, 2019 for a minute. You’ve got 12 right behind you, made an incredible par there. It started to rain a little bit. You go to 13 tee. Your foot, it looked like you were trying to hit a cut shot, I’m not sure. Your foot slipped a little bit, and then your ball winds up in the middle of the fairway. I wonder if you ever got to see what the ball actually did?

TIGER WOODS: No, I didn’t. Jeff sets it up every year, and he moves that tee over maybe another step. There’s nowhere else to go. So everyone who has played there has teed off virtually from the same spot. It’s like digging into a batter’s box. And it’s sandy there. There’s really very little light that gets back in that area. So the grass is never as pristine as it is anywhere else on the golf course, and we’re all hitting from the same spot.

It’s not uncommon to see guys slip there, and I did. I slipped, and I hit it off the toe and hit a toe draw right around the corner.

Q. Draw? It didn’t go over the trees?

TIGER WOODS: No, I had a toe draw.

Q. How agonizing has it been just making the decision for you? Just talking about just the decision-making process.

TIGER WOODS: It’s just a matter of what my body’s able to do the next day and the recovery. That’s the hard part. Yes, we push it and try and recover the best we possibly can that night and see how it is the next morning. Then all the activations and going through that whole process again, and you warm it up, and then you warm it back down, or test it out, and then you’ve got to cool it back down. Then you’ve got to do that day in and day out.

It gets agonizing and teasing because of simple things that I would normally just go do that would take now a couple hours here and a couple hours there to prep and then wind down. So activity time to do what I want to do, it adds more time on both sides of it pre and post.

So that has been — it’s not like something I haven’t done, but the times have gotten longer on both sides.

Q. Tiger, you’ve said countless times throughout your career that you don’t enter a golf tournament unless you think you can win it. So the question is simple. Do you think you can win the Masters this week?

TIGER WOODS: I do.

Q. And what have you seen in your preparation that leads you to believe that?

TIGER WOODS: I can hit it just fine. I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint. It’s now walking is the hard part. This is normally not an easy walk to begin with. Now given the conditions that my leg is in, it gets even more difficult.

You know, 72 holes is a long road, and it’s going to be a tough challenge and a challenge that I’m up for.

Q. Tiger, just on that topic, what part of the golf course is most difficult in terms of walking? Do you worry about slippage? Just also your assessment in the changes in the golf course.

TIGER WOODS: I don’t worry about slipping. I’ve got metals in, so I don’t have to worry about that. Even with the rain, it doesn’t really concern me.

Some of the changes are — some of them more drastic than others. Others are very subtle. Resurfacing on 3, but they’ve resurfaced every green since I’ve been here.

What they did on 11 is interesting, just from the standpoint that we’re further back, and then we thought the Larry Mize shot is gone, now it’s really gone with them raising the green up even more on the right-hand side, and we’re further back so we’re more prone to hit the ball over there anyways. So it’s a harder and more difficult pitch.

Other than that, the softening of 13. I understand it, trying to add a couple new pins, which they tend to do here. Over the years I’ve never seen them take away pins. They always added to areas in which they could grow more pins and more hole locations options for the committee to give us as a challenge. But I’ve never seen them take away pins. So 13 kind of fits into what their philosophy has been here.

Q. From that day early last year to this day, and this of all weeks, when you reflect on all you’ve been through, on all you’ve overcome, what words do you choose today to now reflect on these 14 months?

TIGER WOODS: Thankful. Yeah, very, very thankful. Thankful for just everyone’s support, everyone who’s been involved in my process of the work that I’ve put in each and every day, the people I work with, my whole team. And just as I was alluding to, all the support from the players out here.

We’re a big fraternity. The amount of texts and FaceTimes and calls I’ve gotten over the past year have meant a lot. To see some of the guys at home, whether I’ve been out at Medalist, out there playing, to see them again, or to see them yesterday in person and say thanks. I saw a few of them at the Hall of Fame induction.

I’m sure as the week goes on I’ll see more of them. So it’s been great. Tonight is the night of all nights to see all the guys again and listen to all the chiding and the stuff that I can’t ever repeat here and we don’t ever repeat, but the fact of what we’re able to say to each other is just awesome.

Q. If someone had told you in the first few days or weeks after your accident that you would be able to compete in this Masters with the expectation of winning it, what would you have said or thought?

TIGER WOODS: Well, at that time I was still in a hospital bed, and I was out for the next three months. I never left that hospital bed even to see my living room for three months. So that was a tough road. To finally get out of that where I wasn’t in a wheelchair or crutches and walking and still had more surgeries ahead of me, to say that I was going to be here playing and talking to you guys again, it would have been very unlikely.

Q. Tiger, what do the shoes that you’re wearing now give you that the shoes that you were wearing before don’t?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I have very limited mobility now. Just with the rods and plates and screws that are in my leg, I needed something different, something that allowed me to be more stable. That’s what I’ve gone to.

Nike’s been fantastic over the years of providing me with equipment and work, and we have worked, we’ve been working on trying to find something to allow me to do this and swing again. We’re still going to continue doing it, and hopefully we’ll have something soon.

Q. Tiger, you spoke in the Bahamas in November about being at peace with what the future held because you came back, you won here, you scaled that mountain. What’s been the main motivation to do that again, to put yourself through it all again?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I love competing, and I feel like if I can still compete at the highest level, I’m going to, and if I feel like I can still win, I’m going to play. But if I feel like I can’t, then you won’t see me out here. You guys know me better than that.

As Dee asked earlier, I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it. So that’s the attitude I’ve had. There will be a day when it won’t happen, and I’ll know when that is, but physically the challenge this week is I don’t have to worry about the ball striking or the game of golf, it’s actually just the hills out here. That’s going to be the challenge, and it’s going to be a challenge of a major marathon.

Q. Are there any particular weather conditions that would make it more difficult for you to decide to play?

TIGER WOODS: Oh, kind of just in general with my body, anytime it’s cold, it doesn’t feel very good. I think anyone who’s in this room who’s older than me can probably attest to that (Laughter).

Q. I just want to follow up on this notion of your rehab process. If you hadn’t been able to go, would you be satisfied with your career here and your career in general? And how much of that idea, I’ve still got work to do here, was fueling the rehab process?

TIGER WOODS: No, I feel like I could — if everything went well — my surgeons gave me a chance, and then my PTs and with my surgeons, they all said that I could do this again. Now, it’s up to me to endure the pain and all that, but I felt like I could still do this. I don’t know how many more years I can do this.

I was very fortunate to have come back at the end of ’17 when I did because I didn’t know if I could still do it again at that time, but again, my surgeons gave me an opportunity and my PTs did the same. This is kind of the same scenario but a little bit more severe than it was back then.

Q. But if you couldn’t have, would you have been satisfied to say —

TIGER WOODS: Yes, I would have. I think 82 is a pretty good number, and 15’s not too bad either.

Q. Tiger, when you were here last week, would that have been your first time back since the 2020 Masters?

TIGER WOODS: Yes, that was. It was, yes.

Q. So given all you’ve been through, was it at all emotional coming here even on a practice day? And how much did having Charlie play with you add to the whole experience?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, it meant a lot to both of us. He had a chance to play right before the ’20 Masters, and he’s grown a lot since then, become a lot better player. So it was fun to see the changes in him, and for us as a family to go out here and have Robbie out here and J.T., who’s like my younger brother and Charlie’s older brother, for us to come out here and just play together, we just had a blast.

Couldn’t ask for a better day temperature-wise. It was just a perfect day. It was fun for me as a parent to see him enjoy it. And then just trying to remind him, these putts break a little more than they do back home. Florida greens are not quite like Augusta.

So a couple of the putts, it was pretty funny, he says, Just outside left? I said, No, it’s more like three feet outside left.

So we had a great time. Like I said, it was a blast. For me to have that opportunity again, as Ian was asking earlier whether or not a year ago would I have said yes to that, it was a totally different scenario.

Q. Would it be easier for you to go out early Thursday and later on Friday than vice versa in terms of recovery? Secondly, you’ve been used to adulation throughout your career, and understandably so. Have you ever felt the sense of warmth and reverence you got on that practice round yesterday? Because it seemed to be remarkable the outpouring of warmth in your direction.

TIGER WOODS: As I said earlier, the last time I’d had patrons out here was on that Sunday when I won, and it felt a little bit like that. Not quite as frenzied as that was. That was a little bit different. That was on a Sunday of a championship Sunday.

But yesterday was incredible. Everyone loves Freddie. That’s why they all came out (Laughter).

Q. Tiger, what do the doctors tell you about moving forward? Is this as good as you’re going to feel, or will it get better?

TIGER WOODS: My movement probably will not get much better. Will I feel better? Yes, I will. I’m going to get stronger, and the whole limb will get stronger. But as far as movement, probably not much more. I’m so limited with the hardware in there, I won’t get much more.

Q. Tiger, when you came back from the spinal fusion, you were asked and you would respond about Ben Hogan and the severity of what he went through after his crash. Are you drawing any inspiration now from his story given that, like you, his problem really wasn’t ball striking but just surviving the walk?

TIGER WOODS: Yeah, what he went through pre — obviously, he didn’t have the technology that we have now, but the amount of hot tubs that he would have to take pre-round, post-round, in the middle of the night, just to be able to get up and swing a club the next day, I certainly appreciate that.

The treatments have gotten so much better, and I’m very thankful for that because, if the treatments hadn’t gotten any — if I had to go through with my accident, given what had happened to me, during his era, I wouldn’t be playing this week, that’s for sure.

Q. Tiger, given your leg, what are the more troublesome lies for you? Are they uphill, downhill, or side hill?

TIGER WOODS: All (Laughter).

Q. Are there certain parts of some fairways that you might try to avoid that you maybe wouldn’t have thought about a few years ago?

TIGER WOODS: No, if I’m in a fairway, it’s all good. The only flat spots out here are the 18 tee boxes. Other than that, there’s nothing flat about this place.

If I have to worry about it being in 14 fairways, I’ll take that any day.

Q. I know you’re here feeling you can win, but given the challenges you have with your body and the competitive arena and now these new ones and the challenges you have overcome, how do you define a successful week here at the Masters?

TIGER WOODS: Well, I think that the fact that I was able to get myself here to this point is a success, and now that I am playing, now that everything is focused on how do I get myself into the position where I’m on that back nine on Sunday with a chance? Just like I did a few years ago.

Q. Two real quick if you don’t mind. Do you have a personal tradition unlike any other here? And if this place were flat, would your decision be a lot easier?

TIGER WOODS: Any traditions? I don’t know how to answer that one. I’ve been coming here since ’95. As far as a flat golf course, if it was back home at Medalist, it would have been a helluva lot easier, yes.

Q. Billy Horschel talked about saying you wanted to walk away. Getting here and getting yourself to this position was all about walking away on your own terms. Has that been a bit of motivation for you to compete and possibly win at Augusta?

TIGER WOODS: It has. When I decide to hang it up when I feel like I can’t win anymore, then that will be it. But I feel like I can still do it, and I feel like I still have the hands to do it, the body’s moving good enough. I’ve been in worse situations and played and won tournaments. Now, I haven’t been in situations like this where I’ve had to walk and endure what I’m going to try and endure, that’s going to be different. It’s a different challenge.

But my back surgeries that I’ve had before and the stuff I had to play through, even going back to the U.S. Open when my leg was a little bit busted, those are all times that I can draw upon where I was successful, how I’ve learned to block things out and focus on what I need to focus on. That’s certainly going to be the challenge this week.

THE MODERATOR: Tiger, no matter what your decision is, it has been a joy to have you back at Augusta and best of luck to you.

TIGER WOODS: Thank you.

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US Masters 2022: Bryson DeChambeau plays despite injuries

In recent weeks and months, headlines have not reported Bryson DeChambeau’s strong performances, but his numerous health problems. Among them his wrist problems and hip pain. On Monday, he spoke about his health condition and how he is dealing with it at the 2022 US Masters. An important message for his fans: He will compete, but he is not yet back to 100 percent performance.

Bryson DeChambeau: “I’m at 80 percent performance”

DeChambeau is back in Augusta and training together with his coaching team. But due to his injuries, he can’t follow his usual training path. “I can give about 80 percent right now,” he answered in an interview when asked about his form. “That’s why I can’t do swing speed training and I have to train smarter in general. I have to be careful and effective in the things I practice.” But DeChambeau also sees improvement in recent weeks, just in time for the 2022 U.S. Masters. “I’m proud that I made it here in such a short time. I’m pleased with that,” he said. ““Hitting golf balls on the range today, I was able to sustain practice for a good amount of time,” he said. Despite his weaker form, he still manages a ball speed of around 190 miles per hour.

US Masters 2022: Doctors advise against participation

DeChambeau’s hip injury developed two years ago, he explained in an interview. The small tear in his hip labrum first became relevant when he slipped “Charlie Brown-like” during a table tennis match against Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann in front of the Saudi International and fell on said hip, as well as his injured hand.
After that, DeChambeau underwent CTs and MRIs resulting in a hairline fracture of the hamate bone. This common injury, especially among baseball players, could also stem from his excessive workouts at the driving range, according to DeChambeau. Back in November, he was probably struggling with problems in his hand: “Last November, before I played against Brooks, I felt something. There was something on my hand that kind of popped, and I was like, ‘Ah, this isn’t normal.’ It didn’t really feel good either. It was hard to hit balls.”
The American’s injuries usually entail a four-month break, but DeChambeau was back on the golf course after just two months. This decision is not without risks and in the worst case could lead to surgery one his left hand. But for DeChambeau, one thing is certain, “the Masters is only once a year and I have to give it a go.”

For “The Hulk,” the last six weeks off were not a punishment. He himself said he used the time to give back to his viewers and to golf. “It’s really made me a different person, and – I hope – a better person who also has a different perspective on the game of golf.” He also learned to listen to his body better and give himself rest breaks, he said.
But despite that positive outlook, his comeback to the golf course was frustrating. After six weeks without playing practice, his rounds were marked by shouts of “Fore.” “It’s just not fun. It’s very difficult on your mental psyche as well.”

Bryson DeChambeau wants to take it slower

For him, the last few months have been a learning phase. He had to deal with the first major injury of his career and (at least partially) revise many attitudes toward sports. “You have to pay attention to every part of your body,” he explained in the interview. Still, he said he continues to enjoy pushing his limits and making improvements as a result. Due to his injuries, however, that approach hasn’t necessarily been possible, “i’ve taken more of a reserved approach now through this season, I’ll start ramping back up when I feel 100 percent again.” For now, he is confident of playing up front again at Augusta, despite his weaker form. “It’s been a bit of unravelling this knot that I’ve had in my game for the past four years,” he said of his search for greater consistency with his swing. “We’re finally moving in a direction that I feel is positive for me being able to win again, hopefully, regularly like I did in 2018.”