Tiger Woods says lack of practice led to fall from top spot – Golf update
Former world-number one Tiger Woods says the reasons behind his fall from the top spot in golf included the lack of practice. The 35-year-old met the press after the Arnold Palmer Invitational pro-am at the Bay Hill Club, which was played in Florida and
is popularly known as the winter family home of Arnold Palmer.
Woods stated, “I think its more practice, plain and simple. I had not practiced my putting as much as I had in years past and consequently, I became more of a streaky putter.”
The 14-time major winner has been winless for the past 15 months. His fall began in November 2009, when a local magazine published a story of him having an affair with a nightclub waitress. The golfer was allegedly having an extra-marital affair with several
women, which soon resulted in his divorce with Swedish born Elin Nordegren. The once undisputed golf champion lost all his titles, which he had won in the preceding year and slipped down the rankings.
Apparently, instability in Woods’ personal life was the reason behind his fall, but according to the veteran himself, his attitude and lack of practice led him to this stage. He said that he considered himself invincible and took his game for granted. He
stopped practicing the way he did earlier, which ultimately reflected in his game.
Since Woods has verified the problem, he has been working on it. He said, “It starts with the putting stroke and works its way out. Once I get the release dialed in with the putting and chipping and the irons, then eventually the driver, everything else
just falls into line”
Woods faced trouble with his putting during the Open Championship in St Andrews and decided to dump his 14-major-old Scotty Cameron for a Nike putter. Despite that, he did not achieve the desired results and switched back to his old blade at Doral, just
before the final round of the Cadillac Championship. The results were convincing and he fired a bogey-free 66.
Taking his putter along, Woods will tee off at Bay Hill, where he has won six tournaments in the past. The veteran claimed his last victory in 2009, when he clutched a 15-footer for a birdie at the final hole. Woods believes the course suits his game-style
and if he continues working hard, he might end up in the winner’s circle.
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