The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Woods building momentum toward the Masters

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Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

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Sport - Golf

Woods building momentum toward the Masters

MIAMI: The road to the Masters usually starts with the Florida swing on the U.S. PGA Tour, although Tiger Woods already had a head start even before he arrived last week at the Doral Golf Resort.

He began 2006 with a victory at Torrey Pines, making a birdie on the last hole and winning when Jose Maria Olazabal missed a 4-foot par putt in the playoff. He birdied his last two holes in Dubai to get into a playoff with Ernie Els, winning when the South African found the water.

But his victory on the Blue Monster might have been the best proof that Woods is getting closer to having full command of swing changes he has worked on with Hank Haney the last two years.

It was the ninth time he led after every round among his 48 titles on the U.S. tour. And it was another case of Woods doing whatever was required — birdies early in his round to keep his two-stroke cushion, consecutive birdies when David Toms closed within one stroke and a safe shot when a bogey was good enough to win.

High on confidence

After his third victory in five starts this year, Woods was asked about his confidence.

"Pretty high, considering I've put myself there in virtually every event," he said.

Monday's world ranking gave Woods more than double the points over Vijay Singh, the first time his lead has been that large in three years.

Beyond the trophies, however, are the opportunities. And that's where Woods has separated himself from the pack.

Dating to the U.S. Open last year, Woods has either won or finished second in nine of his last 14 events on the American tour. It is similar, although not quite as pronounced, as the streak he enjoyed at the start of the 2000 season when he won or was runner-up in 10 of 11 tournaments.

"Put it this way," Woods said. "If I hit a couple of bad shots, I feel like it's not the end of the world. I can fit it and I can move on and I can still post a really good number. Before, it would be damage control and somehow try and wheel around it and shoot somewhere around par or even under par. But that's not the case."

Some of his victories have been handed to him. John Daly had a 15-foot birdie putt to win the American Express Championship last October, and three-putted to lose the playoff. Then came the mistakes of Olazabal in the Buick Invitational, and Els in Dubai. — AP

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