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Tiger Woods downbeat ahead of Players Championship

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Tiger Woods downbeat ahead of Players Championship

If Tiger Woods’ world away from the golf course has disintegrated in recent months, his return to professional play hasn't provided much relief either. Yesterday Woods admitted that his personal problems were affecting his golf.

Currently practicing for this week's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, in Florida, the 34-year-old took time out from hitting balls - several of which were disappearing into the drink, onlookers observed - to answer questions about his current form as well as his future.

Asked whether problems off the course were affecting his game, Woods was unequivocal, though typically he chose to focus on media intrusion as the cause of his current funk. "I've had two different low moments. Obviously what I'm going through now and then my father's death," Woods told reporters.

"This is more taxing certainly away from the golf course with paparazzi following me and all those kind of things. I didn't have the distractions getting ready for events. You know, helicopters don't normally fly over you on the range and kind of hover and film you."

On the possibility that he could surrender his status as No. 1 in the world this week Woods seemed philosophical, saying: "I've had it happen before, Double D [David Duval] and Vijay."

"The whole idea to be No. 1 and to continue being No. 1, you have to win golf tournaments. And I haven't done that in a while. I haven't played in a while."

Woods would lose the top spot should he fail to finish inside the top five at the Players - and current No. 2 Phil Mickelson were to win. With Mickelson's game continuing to impress since he won the Masters in April, that's not the unlikeliest of scenarios. But Mickelson himself refuses to see Woods as a diminished force.

"He is an incredible player and talent and he has one of the most impressive records, if not the most impressive, in the history of the game," Mickelson said in a press conference. "I won't ever underestimate him. Regardless of what he did last week, knowing the competitor he is I expect him to come back and be the Tiger that we are used to seeing on the golf course."

The Sawgrass course has been unflatteringly described as a "crapshoot", perhaps largely thanks to the miniscule green on the 17th which is surrounded by water and has cost players dearly in the past. Woods himself has previously described the hole as "gimmicky", though there's no doubt its rigorous demands at least provide an arresting spectacle.

And gimmicky or no, the Players Championship is often referred to as the unofficial fifth major. After a difficult week which has even seen the golfer's future at the very top being questioned, surely the world No. 1 would relish the opportunity to stamp authority on his domain once more?

Whether he can do so is less certain. There have never been doubts about his exceptional mental strength in the past, but at Quail Hollow, Woods looked like all the fight had gone out of him; a paper Tiger, if you like. Let's hope he rediscovers his iron this week.

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