Former world No1 Tiger Woods was in typically bullish mood as he looked ahead to the two events which will define his season.
Woods has played just two tournaments since undergoing back surgery in March, missing the cut in the Quicken Loans National and finishing 69th in The Open.
The 14-time major winner was asked at Royal Liverpool what an acceptable finishing position would be and replied “first”, but he faded away after an opening round of 69.
But that did not stop the 38-year-old from having the same goals in this week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and next week’s US PGA Championship on venues where he has enjoyed previous success.
Woods has won eight times in Akron, while he won the US PGA at Valhalla in 2000.
However, he needs to reproduce similar kinds of results in the next fortnight simply to make the FedEx Cup play-offs and give himself four extra tournaments to boost his case for one of US captain Tom Watson’s three Ryder Cup wild cards.
“I would like to win these next two weeks and not have to worry about anything and that’s the plan. That’s the mindset and the focus and we will see how it feels after these weeks,” Woods said yesterday.
“I am so far out of it right now that I need to play well and get myself into the play-offs. Unfortunately I have been in this position before (after injury in 2011) and did not make it. Hopefully this time around will be a little better.”
At least Woods could not be in a better place, his eight victories in Akron allowing him to match Sam Snead’s PGA Tour record for wins in an event. Woods also won at Bay Hill for the eighth time in 2013.
“To try to win the ninth there is no secret formula, just go out there and play well,” added Woods, who said he had been practicing every day since returning from the Open.
“There are certain venues like here, Torrey Pines and Bay Hill, where no matter what my form is going into that week, I just somehow feel good. It does not mean I am going to play well, but I still have that feeling.
“This is only my third event back and I have had to keep that in mind. I’ve been in this situation before and it takes a bit of time.”
