The coach who helped steer Tiger Woods to his first eight of 14 Major victories believes Woods could struggle to win a fifth Augusta National green jacket.
Woods returns to the Georgia golfing gem this week, and with his golf clubs as company, for a first occasion in three years.
He’s played just five events this year but then installing himself as a favourite in the eyes of many bookies on the back of Woods finishing runner-up in the Valspar Championship and also being in contention on the following week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
But then there are those who know Woods’ golf game well to believe otherwise.
Butch Harmon first coached Woods in 1993 to 2004. In that nine-year period Woods captured three Masters (1997, 2001 & 2002), two U.S. Open’s (2000 & 2002), one Open Championship (200) and two PGA Rodman Wanamaker trophies (1999 and 2000).
Butch Harmon who coached Tiger Woods to his opening eight Major victories
He said: “We’ve all been surprised at how well he’s played, regarding the scores he’s shot but I think Augusta is going to be a different animal. He’s going to have to drive the ball better than he’s been driving it.
“In past tournaments we’ve seen him struggle a bit with his driving, but you can’t do that at Augusta. You’re going to have to drive it straight and long.
“But in all honesty, I’m pleasantly surprised at how well he’s played. It’s been phenomenal for the game and we all hope that he goes to Augusta and plays well because it just makes it that much more exciting.
“It will be a different Tiger, as a player and a person, to when he won last Major.
“He’s had his back fused so he can’t move through the ball the way he used to – but he’s still Tiger Woods. He putts good he hits his wedge shots good, so if he can get his driving sorted out he could definitely be a factor. And swing-wise, he looks okay.”
Putting-wise, Woods in ranked near the top of the PGA Tour putting stats but again Harmon is sceptical.
He said: “You have to take those numbers they were putting out about his speed with a grain of salt. I don’t believe those numbers. They were pretty exaggerated.
“But having said that, I think the whole golf world is surprised at how well he is playing, and we’re really happy to have him back.
“The great thing is that Tiger knows how to get into that zone to play hard. But you are seeing a more mature Tiger woods at 42 years old. He’s been humbled with what’s happened to him in his life, brought on by himself, and I find him to be very similar to what he was 10-15 years ago.
“I was around him at the Farmers tournament in San Diego and he was fun, he was engaging. He seemed to be engaging ore with the fans, which is good.”
Thought there’s no-one teeing-up this week who’s won more times at Augusta than Woods, and there is also just one golfer older than Woods to have been fitted with a green jacket and that was the 46-year old Jack Nicklaus in 1986.
And it’s for this reason Harmon also concedes Woods could struggle.
He said: “Well, you are looking at a guy who’s 42 years old and who has had four back surgeries and four knee surgeries.
“So, you’re looking at a person who is totally different than he was in the past when he was in his heyday, so you don’t have that person. That’s the physical part of it.
“Mentally, he is still Tiger Woods, he is still one of the strongest guts mentally that’s ever played, and he still has that desire to win.
“For me, he’s the greatest player that’s ever lived, for the things he did. Nicklaus is the greatest champion, but when he was playing his best, I think Tiger was the best golfer I’ve ever seen.
“Will he be like that again? Probably not.
“But I think he’s very competitive, and that’s all we can ask for.”
In saying that Harmon’s putting his money on Rory McIlroy to finally, and in what will be ‘Take Four’, in his goal to join golf’s most exclusive club.
He said: “My money would be on Rory this year to be honest with you. He is playing much better, he is driving the ball wonderfully, he putts beautifully now he seems to have got his putting straightened out so for me, I would make him the favourite.
“It doesn’t mean he is going to win but I would make Rory the Masters favourite in my book.
“But then you have got to look at guys playing well coming in.
“Bubba has already won twice, Phil has won, DJ has won, Casey has won, Rory has won, Rose has won, these guys have all won this year.
“Those are the guys you want to look at coming into a big event like that – who is playing well. Then you have got to look at Noren and Rahm and Rickie and Sergio – all of these guys will obviously have a chance.”
