Tiger Woods heads into this week’s crunch Wyndham Championship with a warning from Jason Day that the majority of players no longer fear him.
Woods’ career hit a new low last weekend when he missed the cut at the US PGA Championship. The American may be the second-best golfer of all time, but he has missed the cut at the last three majors.
Day, who went on to win the US PGA, considers Woods a friend, but admits the 39-year-old has a huge mountain to climb to regain the fear factor that helped him become the greatest golfer on the planet.
He said: “I think the majority of the players were afraid of him and he had that aura about him.
“A lot of people fell away when he got in the hunt. It’s hard to say this, but I don’t think he gets that as much now because the other guys are so young and confident and hard-working and they believe in themselves so much.”
Woods has entered the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina, in a last-ditch attempt to make the post-season play-offs. Currently ranked 187th, he needs to win the tournament to reach the top 125 and qualify.
– Jason Day to Tiger Woods: PGA winners and losers
– VIDEO: Day reflects on PGA Championship victory
– VIDEO: Jordan Spieth: “Best loss I’ve ever had”
Although he feels Woods has lost his mojo, Day feels one tournament win would help boost the confidence of the former world number one no end.
He said: “He is at the bottom of the mountain at the moment, but you have to start somewhere. The bottom may be the most rocky part to get past, but if any player can do it, he can. The first title is the hardest, then he will gain confidence and belief. It will be tough but that is why he is competing.”
Day is taking some time off following his first major win and will therefore not be competing at the Wyndham Championship.
Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel are among the players who are taking part in the tournament, which starts on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Woods warmed up for the Wyndham by playing in the pro-am with NBA star Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.
