Friday, November 12, 1999
Tiger struggles with short game at Johnnie
Walker
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Associated Press Writer
TA SHEE, Taiwan (AP) — Tiger Woods' big swing was very
evident in the first round of the $1.3 million Johnnie Walker
Classic Thursday. His putting wasn't.
“I gave myself some chances and just was not able to make
the putts,” Woods said after finishing two strokes off the
lead with a 4-under 68 over the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.
Tied for the lead at 66 were little-known Jeremy Robinson of
England, Johan Skold of Sweden and Michael Campbell of New Zealand.
American Jim Furyk and Australians Nick O'Hern and Peter Senior
shot 67s.
Grouped with Woods at 68 were Sweden's Marten Olander and Welshman
Phillip Price.
Coming off a record-tying four consecutive tournament wins
and eight victories in his last 11 appearances, Woods looked tired
during the pro-am Wednesday, but said he felt fine Thursday.
He said the fans and photographers bothered his play. Woods
said he and members of his group had to back off shots several
times because of cameras and flashes in the galleries.
Woods, winner of the Classic in a stunning comeback last year
in Thailand, had four birdies on the first nine holes. But he
struggled on the back nine, not making another birdie until the
17th hole. He completed his round with a bogey at 18.
“I hit the ball very well today,” Woods said. “I
made a lot of putts on the front nine, I just was not able to
make anything on the back nine. I lipped out about three or four
putts. You can't get too mad about that.”
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