Tiger Enjoying Time Off, Looks Ahead to 2008
From tigerwoods.com
By Mark Soltau
ORLANDO, Fla. - It was a quiet New Year's for Tiger Woods, who turned 32 on Dec. 30th and celebrated his wife's birthday on Jan 1.
"I didn't make it until midnight," he said Thursday of New Year's Eve. "I haven't done too much. I've just been hanging out at home and it's been nice."
Woods said he enjoyed the holidays more than ever thanks to the addition of six-month old daughter Sam Alexis.
"It changed big-time having Sam around," he said. "Just the simplest things like seeing her tear apart wrapping paper -she loved the noise. She always watches sports with me on television, especially basketball. Anything with movement."
Woods started walking when he was nine-months old; Sam is well on her way.
"I think she'll be walking soon," said Woods.
Woods said he is in the best shape of his life.
"I'm definitely stronger," Woods said. "I finally had some time to work out. I've never really had time to dedicate to it without worrying about being sore the next day. I had a program and followed the program."
On January 21, a statue of Woods' late father, Earl, will be unveiled during a private event at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. Woods will also announce the launch of a nationwide youth program.
"Dad's heartbeat is certainly there," said Woods. "He was really excited when I came up with the idea. He loved the place. I just wish he could have seen all the changes and the kids going through the classes and how it has impacted their lives."
Woods has started practicing and will make his 2008 PGA Tour debut at the Buick Invitational, Jan. 24-27 in San Diego, where he is a three-time defending champion. Swing coach Hank Haney will pay a visit next week.
"I've been kind of testing some new Nike irons," said Woods. "They haven't made me a full set yet - I only have three clubs. I used my backup irons at the Target World Challenge because my regular irons were getting worn out."
Woods doesn't anticipate any immediate changes in his equipment and will head for Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic after the Buick Invitational.
"The golf course is a little tricky, especially the two par-5s on the back nine," he said. "A lot of the European Tour players start getting ready for the season there and the tournament usually attracts a strong field."
Woods will also make time to visit his first golf course design project, Al Ruwaya, a par-72, 18-hole championship layout.
"We should have a few holes carved out," Woods said. "The basic routing is done and we're moving some dirt."
Woods won a PGA Tour-best seven times in 2007 and concluded the year by capturing the Target World Challenge, donating his $1.35 million first prize to the Tiger Woods Foundation. On the course, the highlight of the year was winning the PGA Championship, the 13th major title of his career.
"Without a doubt," he said. "The way I hit the ball there, and also on Saturday during the U.S. Open at Oakmont and the TOUR Championship, were pretty good."
His biggest disappointment? Not winning the Masters or U.S. Open, where he tied for second in each.
"If I had just made a couple more putts, I could have easily won both," said Woods. "At Augusta, playing 17 and 18 in 5-over-par on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, that cost me the tournament. You can't finish off rounds that way."
As for comparisons to 2000, when Woods won nine times including the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, he thinks 2007 was comparable.
"People think just because you didn't win as much, 2000 would be better," he said. "I was very consistent in 2007 and just a few putts from an even better year."
In addition to the seven victories, including the last three stroke play events, Woods finished in the Top 10 in 12 of 16 starts.
As always, Woods' goals in 2008 are wins and consistency. Winning the Grand Slam is definitely in his thoughts.
"I think it's easily within reason," said Woods.
By Mark Soltau
ORLANDO, Fla. - It was a quiet New Year's for Tiger Woods, who turned 32 on Dec. 30th and celebrated his wife's birthday on Jan 1.
"I didn't make it until midnight," he said Thursday of New Year's Eve. "I haven't done too much. I've just been hanging out at home and it's been nice."
Woods said he enjoyed the holidays more than ever thanks to the addition of six-month old daughter Sam Alexis.
"It changed big-time having Sam around," he said. "Just the simplest things like seeing her tear apart wrapping paper -she loved the noise. She always watches sports with me on television, especially basketball. Anything with movement."
Woods started walking when he was nine-months old; Sam is well on her way.
"I think she'll be walking soon," said Woods.
Woods said he is in the best shape of his life.
"I'm definitely stronger," Woods said. "I finally had some time to work out. I've never really had time to dedicate to it without worrying about being sore the next day. I had a program and followed the program."
On January 21, a statue of Woods' late father, Earl, will be unveiled during a private event at the Tiger Woods Learning Center in Anaheim, California. Woods will also announce the launch of a nationwide youth program.
"Dad's heartbeat is certainly there," said Woods. "He was really excited when I came up with the idea. He loved the place. I just wish he could have seen all the changes and the kids going through the classes and how it has impacted their lives."
Woods has started practicing and will make his 2008 PGA Tour debut at the Buick Invitational, Jan. 24-27 in San Diego, where he is a three-time defending champion. Swing coach Hank Haney will pay a visit next week.
"I've been kind of testing some new Nike irons," said Woods. "They haven't made me a full set yet - I only have three clubs. I used my backup irons at the Target World Challenge because my regular irons were getting worn out."
Woods doesn't anticipate any immediate changes in his equipment and will head for Dubai for the Dubai Desert Classic after the Buick Invitational.
"The golf course is a little tricky, especially the two par-5s on the back nine," he said. "A lot of the European Tour players start getting ready for the season there and the tournament usually attracts a strong field."
Woods will also make time to visit his first golf course design project, Al Ruwaya, a par-72, 18-hole championship layout.
"We should have a few holes carved out," Woods said. "The basic routing is done and we're moving some dirt."
Woods won a PGA Tour-best seven times in 2007 and concluded the year by capturing the Target World Challenge, donating his $1.35 million first prize to the Tiger Woods Foundation. On the course, the highlight of the year was winning the PGA Championship, the 13th major title of his career.
"Without a doubt," he said. "The way I hit the ball there, and also on Saturday during the U.S. Open at Oakmont and the TOUR Championship, were pretty good."
His biggest disappointment? Not winning the Masters or U.S. Open, where he tied for second in each.
"If I had just made a couple more putts, I could have easily won both," said Woods. "At Augusta, playing 17 and 18 in 5-over-par on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, that cost me the tournament. You can't finish off rounds that way."
As for comparisons to 2000, when Woods won nine times including the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship, he thinks 2007 was comparable.
"People think just because you didn't win as much, 2000 would be better," he said. "I was very consistent in 2007 and just a few putts from an even better year."
In addition to the seven victories, including the last three stroke play events, Woods finished in the Top 10 in 12 of 16 starts.
As always, Woods' goals in 2008 are wins and consistency. Winning the Grand Slam is definitely in his thoughts.
"I think it's easily within reason," said Woods.
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