Tiger Woods Royal Liverpool Open article

Tiger Woods is back in England to defend his Royal Liverpool Open title. A relaxed and emotional Tiger talked about the course, his progress in the last year, the death of his late father Earl Woods and the impact it had on him as well as the Darren Clarke’s situation

He seemed very understanding and compassionate towards his opponent using the word ‘draining’ a few times in his press conference. There was also an emotional link on his late father’s first experience on watching Tiger play at Carnoustie in the Scottish Open stating that ‘they both loved it very much’.

Tiger Woods described the Royal Birkdale course, just down the road from Hoylake where the Open is taking place, as one of the fastest one around and spoke at length about the choice of gear and tactical approach leading to the tournament. Speaking of his inactivity in the weeks leading to the Open and said he looked forward on defending his title.

In terms of the actual golf course it self and the weather conditions he stated; “The weather since I have been here, it’s blown out of three different directions. So you have to adjust your game plan…. But also it’s a little bit of fun” he concluded, showing he is full of confidence.

Talking about his form on British courses he dismissed his superb display at St. Andrews at 2000 as “there was almost no wind there”.

There was talk of tactics and clubs talking about his potential use of the 2-iron he stated that the last time he used it was “probably Dunlop Phoenix” and dismissing using the 5-wood as it would not roll in this kind of course. “I hit a few other shots with either a 3-iron of the tee or a 3-wood, but the majority of time it is the 2-iron.”

Speaking of his failure in the U.S Open he said “it was nice to get back out and practice, and work on things I did not do well at that tournament” at which point the joked about the Claret Jug saying “I just filled it up with beverages of my choice”

He looked pleased of the atmosphere and reception here in Liverpool stating “People have been really nice. They have been out there early in the morning watching me and my partners play. They have been very respectful of us in preparation for the Championship.”

He looked bemused when there was mention of his grudge with Nick Faldo stating that “I have only played with him twice since I have been a pro. There wasn’t a lot of talking there either”. He said he would be surprised if Faldo were to talk to him and wanted to make clear that he is as ready as ever to win yet another title in his illustrious career.

Tiger sounded clueless when there was mention of the French British amateur champion Julien Guerrier who was supposed to play alongside him stating that his understanding was that the player playing alongside him should be Shingo.


When he started talking about his family, although he was relaxed everyone in the press room could tell that he was feeling vulnerable and quickly identified with fellow player and friend Darren Clarke facing a tough, if not inevitable situation with his wife, Heather, going through the painful state of having breast cancer. He mentioned “It’s draining, it’s very draining…. Hats off to him, just to be out here playing”.

*Quotes and information were taken by his original press conference on the 7th of July 2006