Woods may struggle to win another major, says Faldo
Saturday, 20 July 2013 00:00
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Reuters: World number one Tiger Woods may struggle to add to his 14 major titles for a number of different reasons, former British Open champion Nick Faldo told Reuters on Thursday.
Faldo was speaking after he shot an eight-over 79 in the first round at Muirfield, venue for two of his three Open triumphs, in his first competitive round for three years. “I think it may be difficult for Tiger now,” Faldo said. “Perhaps there is too much happening for him.
“All the stuff that went on off the course and his injury problems. Tiger used to be able to make things happen on the course and he has struggled to do that recently,” added Faldo.
“He has issues with his swing, look at what happened to him today on the first tee? He snap-hooked the ball. That tells me something is not right.”
Faldo, celebrating his 56th birthday on Thursday, enjoyed his return to Muirfield where he lifted the Claret Jug in 1987 and 1992.
“Standing on the first tee looking down the fairway at all the crowds, that was a good moment,” he said.
Faldo bogeyed the first two holes but fought back with two birdies and he was nicely poised at two over par after 12 holes before two double-bogeys spoiled his card.
“The last four greens have gone past the edge, they have gone to glass,” he said of the ultra-firm putting surfaces. “You could have a situation that’s getting a little bit silly. “I was going alright until the last few holes. But it was really hard work out there and I just haven’t had time to practise my short game enough.”
Faldo was playing with two old rivals, Americans Tom Watson, a five-times Open champion, and former US Masters winner Fred Couples. Faldo, who also won three Masters titles, said the biggest difference in the game today was the equipment.
“Players can adjust the heads and shafts of their clubs really quickly now which is great,” he said. “When I played it would take a day to make changes.”
