Rumours Tiger Woods will contest next week’s Barclay’s Scottish Open are growing in intensity.
European Tour officials, sponsors and the stunning Castle Stuart course to the east of Inverness are abuzz with suggestions the former long-time World No. 1 will tee up next week on the Gil Hanse designed links gem.
Much acclaimed Castle Stuart designer, Gil Hanse looks out over his work in February earlier this year. But rumours suggest Tiger Woods could be a surprise visitor. (Photo - www.golfybytourmiss.com)
Woods was never tempted to take in the Barclay’s Scottish Open over the 11 years it was played at Loch Lomond.
Instead, Woods spent many years competing in Ireland the likes of Mark O’Meara, Scott McCarron, David Duval and the last Payne Stewart honing his game on the links gems of Ireland.
In fact, Woods has only the Scottish Open twice before and that while he was still an amateur in 1995 and 1996 at Carnoustie.
So, despite much effort Woods has never played the Barclay’s Scottish Open since Ian Woosnam won with a four-over par tally 15 years ago.
If fit, Woods was expected to compete in this week’s AT & T National in Pennsylvania and has been at the Aronimink Club helping support the event despite not playing.
But rumours abound in Versailles today (Tuesday), and venue for this week’s French Open, that Woods, who had to sit out the recent U.S. Open could be flying into Inverness Airport to join a strong field set to take to the first time on the much acclaimed Hanse designed layout.
When asked earlier this year the likelihood of Woods playing Castle Stuart, the course’s General Manager, Stuart McColm, remarked: “If Edinburgh Zoo can get a panda, we can get Tiger.”
Woods hasn’t captured a tournament anywhere in the world since winning the 2009 Australian Masters title in Melbourne.
He has since slipped to No. 17 in the world, and hasn’t played a competitive round since last month’s Players Championship in Florida.
But if the rumour is correct and Woods tees up at Castle Stuart then he will join fellow Major Champions Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Michael Campbell and Paul Lawrie in one of the most impressive line ups this year in regular European Tour competiton.
However in the States Woods has been talking of his injury as well as the U.S. Open success of Rory McIlroy, and whether or not the American believes he can go past Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors.
ON HIS INJURY KNEW AND ACHILLES INJURIES:
“I will come back when I’m 100 per cent. I don’t know when that’s going to be and I’m just playing it by ear right now. I’ve not hit any balls yet.
“I want to be out there playing, but I’m not ready yet.
“It was a borderline call to play The Players. I wasn’t quite 100% and I hurt myself there.
“There’s not going to be a 50-50 call this time. I would go over there (to The Open) to show. I would go to win the tournament.
“I need to get my body ready where I can practice and play and apply it. But I’m 35, I’m not 65 – I’ve still got some years ahead of me and I feel my best years are still ahead of me. Tom Watson nearly won The Open at 59.
“The good thing there no surgery required at all (he has had four operations already on his knee). There’s been no discussion on surgery.
“I’ve played injured before and been successful at it (he won the 2008 US Open with two leg fractures and an injured knee). I didn’t think this was anywhere near that, but it’s time to have a different approach. I’m setting no timetable – I’m going to learn my lesson and apply it.
“I’m being smarter this time. I broke my leg and still played – that’s not exactly smart.”
ON TRYING TO BEAT NICKLAUS RECORD
“I’ve still got some time. We are about the same pace I believe in years on Tour and age.
“I feel excited about what my future holds.”
AND ON RORY MCILORY WINNING THE U.S. OPEN
“What Rory did was cool to watch. He had softer conditions and he was able to go low, but he was able to continue pushing it and that’s fun. He was very impressive.”
