Tiger to return from majors’ wilderness
World No.1 Tiger Woods appears primed to end his time in the major championship wilderness after claiming US PGA tour win number 79 last week.
Australia’s Adam Scott, however, isn’t ready to hand Woods the Wanamaker trophy on a platter.
Tiger is dominating favouritism discussion for the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club after notching up win number five for the year at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.
It was a phenomenal 18th title from 42 starts in WGC events, which are the tier below the majors, but Woods still hasn’t claimed a major since the 2008 US Open, more than five years ago.
Woods was in contention at the Masters and British Open earlier this year only to fall short leaving Scott, the winner of the green jacket in Augusta, more than confident this is far from a one horse race.
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The Queenslander acknowledged Woods’ pedigree but feels he’s a good a chance as any to claim the title.
“This week is a new challenge, as it is for everyone, and we all start from the same point on Thursday,” Scott said.
“I think Tiger is a factor no matter what, even coming in without that kind of form.
“He’s been up there in majors recently, and just has not finished it off.”
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The American has been stuck on 14 majors for some time in his quest to chase down Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 major championship and admits No.15 seems to be the hardest to win.
“It kind of seems that way. It’s been probably the longest spell that I’ve had since I hadn’t won a major championship,” Woods said.
“I’ve had, certainly, my share of chances to win. I’ve had my opportunities there on the back nine on probably half of those Sundays for the last five years where I’ve had a chance, and just haven’t won it.
“But the key is to keep giving myself chances, and eventually I’ll start getting them.”
Scott was just 23 years old when the PGA Championship was last at Oak Hill and was right in the mix in a tie for sixth through two rounds before fading into a tie for 23rd.
The old school course is set up for the ball strikers, giving him and the likes of Woods and US Open champion Justin Rose an edge.
“I’d really love to get myself in there with a chance to kind of bookend the Masters with a PGA Championship,” Scott said.
The Queenslander heads a list of eight Australians looking to be the first champion since Steve Elkington in 1995 including Jason Day, Geoff Ogilvy, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Marcus Fraser, Brett Rumford and John Senden, while Brendan Jones was eligible but withdrew from the event.
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