Torrey Pines, CA …
Triple Tour winning Martin Laird insists anyone writing off Tiger Woods as a ‘spent force is kidding themselves’.
Woods ends a 17-month PGA Tour absence at this week’s Farmers Insurance Open and Laird is one of so many relishing the chance to again compete alongside the 14-time Major Champion.
The last time Woods was seen on the PGA Tour was 23rd August, 2015 and after bravely sharing 10th place in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.
It had been ‘Tiger Mania’ that week in Woods first showing in the event and with the 14-time Major winner wearing some form of back brace that could be made out under his Nike logo shirt.
Tiger Woods walks off with a final round 67 in the 2012 Masters and having playing the final round with Scotland’s Martin Laird (in background)
Woods would then undergo double surgery on his ailing back ahead of returning to competition late last year in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
And the PGA Tour has thrown Woods right in the deep end at this week’s £STG 5.35m event along the cliff tops at Torrey Pines overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The current World No. 663rd ranked Woods will tee-up alongside World No. 1 Jason Day and World No. 3 Dustin Johnson.
Laird is competing a week after commencing his 10th pro career New Year with a share of ninth in the Career Builder Challenge.
And Laird still harbours strong memories of the last time he played alongside Woods, and that being the final round of the 2011 Masters with Woods lighting-up Augusta and TV coverage completely ‘blanking’ screening any one shot of Laird’s.
Laird, who was making his maiden Augusta National showing, hailed it a privilege to witness Woods first hand as he played the outward nine in 31 and shooting a 67 to fall short by four shots and share fourth place.
And should Woods repeat that effort then it’s going to Tiger Mania all over again on the host course this week where Woods has won the ‘Farmers’ event seven times from 1999 to 2013, and also captured his last Major in lifting the 2008 US Open trophy.
Laird said: “It was the most electric atmosphere I have ever encountered at any time in my career.
“He was five-under through eight holes and I just thought the place was going to explode, as everyone was getting so excited over what Tiger was doing.
“And only Tiger can do that, create that excitement. Maybe Phil (Mickelson) in the right setting could do that but on that Sunday at the Masters, and playing alongside Tiger as I was, it was just pure crazy.
“It’s why like everyone, as we’ve been waiting for this week and Tiger returning to the Tour.
“Anyone who says Tiger no longer does not have an impact in golf is completely wrong as practically every time I go to my golf course in Arizona to practice, everyone I meet asks me about Tiger and when he will be returning.
“So, anyone who thinks Tiger is a spent force is kidding themselves.
“Everyone, the players, the spectators and all those involved in golf miss that buzz Tiger generates and has about him.
“We have plenty of really good players, and also have so-called superstars out here on the pro circuit but no-one comes close to Tiger in terms of popularity, and no one is going to touch him as to what he was like in his prime.
“And now that Tiger’s back, and looking like playing a regular season schedule, then I’ve love the chance to compete alongside him.”
