Big crowds stalk Tiger at Firestone
AKRON, Ohio (AP) - A huge group of fans - many of them short
enough to peak beneath the fairway ropes - greeted Tiger Woods
at 7 a.m. Wednesday as he teed off in the NEC World Series of
Golf pro-am.
"We are seeing people from all walks of life on the golf
course," Woods said later. "And now kids think, you
know, golf might be actually a cool sport to play."
It's like that everywhere Woods goes. But even when he takes
a week off, it is also evident wherever the PGA Tour goes. Woods
might be the center of attention, but it's hard to discount the
appeal of players such as Ernie Els, Justin Leonard and Phil Mickelson.
"It is amazing how many kids are out here," Mickelson,
the World Series' defending champion, said after a practice round
this week. "It is just exciting to see other people taking
an interest in the game."
Much of that might be attributable to Woods, making his first
appearance at the World Series, which begins Thursday. He didn't
turn pro until after Mickelson won the 1996 tournament by three
strokes. Since then, Woods has captured six tournaments, including
The Masters, and also captured the imagination of a lot of younger
fans.
Their presence is one reason why all the tickets have been
sold for the first time in the World Series' 36 years.
"It's very flattering," Woods, 21, said. "I
honestly never thought I would receive this much attention this
early. I thought the earliest would be in my late 20s, early 30s,
after I have won some majors and really had deserved the attention.
"I thought it would take something like what (Jack) Nicklaus
had done early in his career - winning a lot and a lot of majors
- to get to this level of attention from the people, from the
fans, the media, basically everyone."
The 72-hole tournament is open only to winners of events around
the world, with a 46-man field playing for a $2.2 million purse.
The winners of the four major championships - Woods (Masters),
Els (U.S. Open), Leonard (British Open) and Davis Love III (last
weekend's PGA) - will all be teeing off on the 7,149-yard, par-70
South Course.
Woods has a sore ankle, but said he would wait until after
Sunday's final round to rest it. He also said he would take some
time off before playing for the United States in the Ryder Cup
matches Sept. 26-28 at Valderrama Golf Club in Cadiz, Spain.
Much has been made of Els, Leonard and Woods, all in their
20s, winning majors this year.
Els declined to say that younger players were taking over the
tour, but added that the victories proved that many young and
inexperienced players don't back down when the heat is on.
"It is really good for golf to have the young players
win the majors, to show the older guys and show the world that
the younger guys aren't scared of winning the big ones,"
he said.
Leonard said he gets more mail now than before his victory
at Troon in the British Open. But he said the headaches of his
newfound fame are minor compared to the benefits.
"If you ever hear me complain about coming in here,"
he said, referring to the interview area, "or signing autographs
or anything, just hit me. Please."
The winner, in addition to the first prize of $396,000, also
earns a 10-year PGA Tour exemption.
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