Woods likes his chance on difficult Huntingdale
course
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Tiger Woods has seen enough of
Huntingdale to believe the tight, 7,000-yard course fits his game,
even if the American star has to tee off with long irons.
"It is a big advantage for me because these guys have
to hit a driver, where I'm hitting 1- or 2-irons," Woods
said today after his final practice round for the Australian Masters.
"It appears to be an easy course, but you've really have
to think your way around it. It's not that simple."
Woods, coming off a hectic week in Thailand that ended with
a 10-stroke victory in the Asian Honda Classic, believes he is
far better prepared for the tournament than he was for the Australian
Open in December.
"Last year, I was affected by jet lag more than I thought.
It took me a few days to get over it," said Woods, who finished
12 strokes behind winner Greg Norman in the Sydney tournament.
"I have learned that when you go overseas you don't just
go for a week, that's almost worthless."
Woods, seeking his fifth victory in 14 pro starts, will begin
play Thursday in an afternoon group with Australian stars Robert
Allenby and Brett Ogle. Expected to generate record crowds, the
three-time U.S. Amateur champion, is reportedly being paid an
appearance fee of about $200,000.
"Obviously, Tiger is a great player and if he does his
homework he'll be a force to be reckoned with," said defending
champion Craig Parry, an Australian seeking his fourth victory
in six years.
"He'll learn a lot about how Huntingdale plays and how
sandbelt courses play. It isn't necessarily a valuable experience
to practice on Melbourne courses. The difference between today
and tomorrow can be incredible."
Like Woods, American Larry Mize also is a Huntingdale newcomer.
"We don't play a whole lot of courses that are this penal
off the tee," said Mize, the 1987 U.S. Masters winner. "The
fast greens and the north wind I've been hearing about are going
to be tough, but it's the penalty of the fairways that's the biggest
thing."
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