The Grove, Watford, England …
This week’s British Masters host Luke Donald can sympathise first-hand with Tiger Woods late decision to withdraw from this week’s new PGA Tour season opener in California.
Donald was born and went to school not far from this week’s venue at The Grove near Watford to the north of London, and also is teeing-up on the course that hosted the 2006 WGC – American Express Championship.
Woods won the event a decade ago and with Donald finished sixth.
However, in 2008 Donald picked up a left wrist injury at the U.S. Open forcing him out of competition for a number of months that included missing the remaining two Majors of that year and also a place in the Ryder Cup.
British Masters host Luke Donald says he can sympathise with Tiger Woods electing not to contest this week’s Safeway Open.
He underwent surgery on the wrist before returning in December that year but did not again tasting success till late 2010 before reaching World No. 1 in May, 2012.
“I was out for six months and could only start hitting balls gradually first on my short game and putting following the surgery,” he said.
“So there’s a lot of mental anguish when injury forces you to take time off from the game.
“Tiger’s the greatest player that’s ever played, and he’s got very, very high standards and expectations. I think that you have to weigh that up with that feel of almost failure or fear of anxiety of not performing well.
“You know sometimes those don’t match up.
“If Tiger Woods is healthy like he says he is, that’s probably what he’s weighing out right now, just feeling comfortable.
“Again, it’s really hard to get comfortable unless you actually put yourself through it. At some point he’s got to jump in, and if he messes up, he’s got a good opportunity to get better the next time he plays.”
And defending British Masters champion, Matthew Fitzpatrick says he was not surprised to learn Woods has elected to withdraw from this week’s Safeway Open and next month’s Turkish Airlines Open.
“I probably shouldn’t disclose too much of what I saw on the Sunday night at the Ryder Cup but I met Tiger for the first time,” said Fitzpatrick.
“I mean, it was amazing to me. He looked fine. At The Ryder Cup he looked fine. I’m sure his statement is 100 % true and that he’s not quite happy with his game and he’s not been hitting balls for too long and stuff.
“But with his back injury, he’s just got to be careful. He just wants what’s best for him and he’s biding his biding his time so he can compete with everyone on the PGA Tour.”
