AUGUSTA, Ga. — For several years while unable to compete, Padraig harrington had transitioned from the role associated with solitary world beater to something different altogether. Kindly uncle. Sage advisor. You pick the cliche. The point is, at the same time when Woods didn’t have a great deal to give on the golf course, he wanted to offer up what he could towards the game’s core of able-bodied superstars.
Woods went the cart as a vice chief at team events. He involved in placing matches with Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas if they dropped by the house. And when the particular opportunities arose, Woods sought in order to enlighten the younger generation on how this individual thought the game.
Related: Tiger’s previous teachers can help YOUR game in Golfing Digest All Access
“I’m just a person who they could bounce ideas off of— what did I used to do and exactly how do I feel these things, what do I actually do in certain situations, certain shots, inch Woods said in February. “And they would pick my brain. inch
“ It’ s just really cool, ” Jones said after his win within the PGA Championship in August. inch[Woods] has taken an unbelievable function with some of us young guys plus wanting to help us if he is able to. ”
Quick forward to Monday at Augusta National and Thomas again searched for Woods’ counsel during a practice circular together at Augusta National. This individual watched where Woods dropped tennis balls around the green to practice chip pictures, studied the lines Woods became popular the tee. The difference this time will be Woods didn’t have nearly just as much to say.
“I think that Tiger’s probably going to be a small harder to get stuff out of compared to when he was hurt and am was just asking questions, inch Thomas said.
Woods’ emergence as a more approachable figure at 42 was not simply temporary byproduct of injury. He is more engaging with the crowd, current media. On Tuesday, Woods also talked from length about his evolving romantic relationship with Phil Mickelson , a person he once could barely endure. But he’s also a player searching for00 his way back to the form that will won 79 times on the PGA Tour, including 14 majors. And when that means placing an arm’s size between himself and the competition, he or she seems prepared to do it.
“It’s flattering, it’s fine, ” Woods said of the coaching role he’s taken with younger players. “But I still wish to compete and I want to beat them. ”
