Woods prepares for PGA Championship
By Howard Richman / Knight-Ridder Newspapers
MAMARONECK, N.Y. - As he approaches the one-year anniversary
of his decision to turn professional, Tiger Woods realizes there
is no turning back.
No longer is there room for error in Woods' world. Woods -
preparing for the 79th PGA Championship, which begins Thursday
at Winged Foot Golf Club - only needs to glance at his first-round
pairing to see how far he's come since announcing his decision
to turn pro in Milwaukee 350 days ago.
Right next to Woods' name on the pairings sheet are those of
Ernie Els and Justin Leonard. The three major champions this year
will do their best to dazzle the patrons, but none will be more
scrutinized than Woods. There's just no margin for error for Woods,
not when mountains of expectations greet him at every corner.
Just as Michael Jordan is supposed to generate that super slam
or Ken Griffey Jr. bop a 450-foot home run, Woods is expected
to make every putt he looks at, win every major he enters. Although
he's looked upon as golf's next great player, there are times
when Woods wishes he were as normal as your next-door neighbor.
"When most people wake up in the morning and get out on
the wrong side of the bed and they're in a grumpy mood and unhappy
with life, they can say things and be OK with it," Woods
said Tuesday. "Unfortunately I can't do that. I can't afford
to have those kind of days in public, and that's been one of the
things that's been hard to handle.
"I've been forced to grow up quickly and forced to handle
issues and things you should handle at a little bit later of an
age. These are new things and experiences I'll just have to adjust
to."
It took less than a year for Woods to separate himself from
the rest of the pack. In retrospect, Woods finds it amazing a
year has come and gone.
Since beating Steve Scott and winning an unprecedented third
consecutive U.S. Amateur, Woods has won six championships against
his new peers on the PGA Tour, none bigger or more spectacular
than the Masters. He captured the Honda Open in his mother Tida's
native Thailand. He signed two contracts with Nike and Titleist
that are worth in the upscale neighborhood of $60 million.
One of Woods' most visible moments was a time he made himself
invisible. He said thanks but no thanks to President Clinton's
late bid right after the Masters to join him for a tribute to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's
color line. Already had a vacation itinerary, Woods said.
"This time last year I was getting ready for the Amateur,"
Woods said. "It seems like 10 years ago."
At times his 21-year-old body feels as if it's aged 10 years.
Three months ago he was chastised for blowing off the news media
after a bad round of golf, considered by many an act of immaturity.
Ryder Cup captain Tom Kite, who will make good use of Woods when
it's time to battle the Europeans in Spain next month, says Woods
has done a fine job of acting his age.
"I think he's surprised everybody," Kite said. "For
the most part, he's handled himself well. It's my 24th year out
here, and I'm still trying to learn a little bit."
That's exactly where Woods has shown his maturity. He possesses
a never-ending will to learn, and there's no better example of
it than this week. His teaching guru, Butch Harmon, has strong
ties to Winged Foot. His dad, Claude Harmon, was the head pro
there from 1946 to 1977.
"Having Butch is an unbelievable break because he's telling
me things that only locals know," Woods said.
Harmon's best advice?
"Stay below the hole at all cost," Woods said. "Once
you get long or above the hole, generally you're not going to
get up and down."
The last year has been loaded with highs and lows Woods won't
forget. He remembers the moments that affected his fortunes, hoping
to learn from them in the future. Like his poor driving in the
U.S. Open or the three bad holes that cost him a shot at winning
the British Open. Those setbacks slammed the door on his bid to
become the first player to win the Grand Slam in the same year.
But even Woods is sensible enough to realize how tough a task
that will be.
"It's almost next to impossible to win all four,"
Woods said.
Yet if anybody can do it, the perception lingers that Woods
is the man.
(c) 1997, The Kansas City Star.
Visit The Star Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.kcstar.com/
Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
Start or Join A Discussion about This Item
Send the URL (Address) of This Item
to A Friend:
|
