Woods 'never ceases to amaze' as
peers tip their hat to greatness
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[October 28, 2019]
By Andrew Both
CHIBA, Japan (Reuters) - Tiger Woods'
peers have learned over the years never to be surprised at anything
he accomplishes and are braced for a further onslaught from the
greatest player of their era, and perhaps any era.
After months of mediocrity following his 15th major title at the
Masters in April, Woods emerged from metaphorical hibernation to
match Sam Snead's record 82 wins on the PGA Tour on Monday.
His three-stroke victory at the Zozo Championship, in his first
start after knee surgery two months ago, seemingly came out of
nowhere, proving once again that quality never goes out of style.
At 43, Woods does not hit the ball as far as many of his current
rivals, but has found a way to win without overpowering a course in
the manner of his prime.
"It never ceases to amaze really," 2013 Masters champion and former
world number one Adam Scott told Reuters, noting the roller coaster
that Woods has been on this year.
"When he wins the Masters you're like 'he's going to break Jack
(Nicklaus's record of 18 majors), that's a guarantee' and then by
August you're not sure if he's ever going to play again and now
after that break of two months he comes back and wins here off an
extended break."
"If he's going to tee it up you can never count him out. He's not
consistently dominating like we once was, like we all got used to
but he has this incredible talent and gift of getting the golf ball
in the hole. His form is going to come and go but that gift is not
going away."
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Tiger Woods holds a winning trophy as he celebrates to win the Zozo
Championship, a PGA Tour event, at Narashino Country Club in Inzai,
Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, Japan October 28, 2019, in this
photo released by Kyodo. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS
Other major champions were similarly impressed.
Rory McIlroy, who at age 30 has 17 PGA Tour victories, duly noted
that he would have to win six times yearly for the next decade to
approach 82 wins.
And this year's British Open champion Shane Lowry sounded more like
a fan than a man who won a major championship three months ago.
"He's my golfing idol and sporting idol," said Irishman Lowry. "He's
the best that's ever lived. It doesn't surprise me whatever he
does."
This year's U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland played the final two
rounds with Woods, and saw up close what the man is still capable
of.
"The ball-striking exhibition I've seen the last two days is a joke,
so I don't see him stopping any time soon," Woodland said.
"Eighty-two's pretty special. I think there's a lot more in store."
(Editing by Michael Perry)
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