At a press conference before the tournament, Tiger Woods was asked if he could potentially win the PGA Championship—the first major of a disrupted season. The golf legend didn't hesitate, telling reporters that it was indeed possible. His recent track record has been limited, as he has only played one tournament since the PGA Tour resumed in June following a 91-day break due to COVID-19, resulting in a T40 finish at the Memorial Tournament.
Tiger Woods has so far played just a single event since the PGA Tour resumed in June following the 91-day coronavirus shutdown. At the Memorial Tournament Woods ended in a tie for 40th.
Despite the gap in major wins since The Open a year ago, the legendary champion feels steady and confident. During his media appearance, Woods declined to share the specifics of his training regimen before arriving at TPC Harding Park. He has a positive history with the venue, having secured the WGC-American Express Championship nearly 15 years back after a playoff victory over John Daly.
During the press conference, Woods acknowledged his lack of recent competitive experience but emphasized that he has been training intensely and playing frequently at home. This home-based practice allowed him to get the necessary repetitions to regain his form in a short window of time, noting that this has been his primary focus lately. With several major tournaments on the horizon, Woods is eager to perform well and believes this upcoming event will be a challenging test for everyone in the game. He also reflected on the course, jokingly noting that the fairways seemed narrower than they did back in 2009.
He mentioned that although his game time has been limited, the results of his home practice sessions have been encouraging. He is excited to see how his recent adjustments hold up under pressure and feels confident in those changes. Woods reassured his supporters that he will keep practicing hard to ensure he is fully prepared for the championship.
Because of the ongoing threat of the virus, the tournament will be held without spectators. However, Woods isn't bothered by the silence; he plans to draw his competitive energy and motivation from the other players on the course instead.