Tiger Woods eager to clinch his fifth green jacket at this week’s Masters
Former world number one Tiger Woods is back in his usual threatening tone, something which has been absent from his normal diatribe for quite a while.
The 14-major-winner is now contemplating a victory at the Augusta National this week, amid a handful of rampaging players.
He has won the title four times in his stellar career and wants to clinch the green jacket for the fifth time.
He said, "I would like the green jacket more. I know the 73 would be a by-product of it, but I'm here for the green jacket".
The 36-years-old Woods is now hoping to carry on with his unfinished business, the run to the 19-major titles, something which would take over Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18-major wins.
He shot back in form later last year where he pulled in consecutive strong finishes to stay in contention till the final hole on Sunday.
He performed brilliantly in the Australian Open and also won his final individual round in the President’s Cup to guide the American team to victory.
Woods won the Chevron World Challenge, the closing event on the PGA Tour but many rejected his claim of bringing his winless streak to an end as the Chevron title was not a mainstream PGA Tour event, although Woods disagreed.
He finally won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month to bring an official end to his winless streak of 923 days.
He now feels that his striking capabilities are far more refined and well balanced.
He added, "I guess I'm not driving the ball as far, but I'm longer than I was in 2000. So it's a different game. The guys are much taller, much bigger, much more athletic".
Woods, at the same time, acknowledged the fact that he is now facing a different scenario as the sport is now more competitive and evenly poised.
He said, "The game has become bigger and stronger. When I played back in 2000, the big carry was 280 yards. That was a big carry over a corner. Now that has been moved out to 315, 320. It's just a different number now".
Some of the intimidating factors on the field include the rising Rory McIlroy, world number one Luke Donald and some other surging young guns from Europe.
Tags: