Fred Couples has been close to Tiger Woods on the Tour for years. No wonder then to see him share a training game with the “Tiger” and Justin Thomas this Monday in Augusta. The gaze of mister boom boomtinged with a frank friendship, remains very encouraging at the dawn of Woods’ first Major since 2020.
On Tiger’s golf fitness
“I was very impressed by his strike force. He threw some serious mines during these nine holes. I know that JT (Justin Thomas) is not the longest on the Tour, but he is one of those who hit hard. And Tiger stood up to him without any worries. […] He held the comparison with a player of the Top 10 in the world, by his game of irons, his driving, the sound that his shots made. […] I know it was only Monday, but Tiger didn’t miss a lot of shots, he drove well and went to putt practice as soon as the game was over. He is clearly at work. »
“If Tiger can walk 72 holes without too many glitches, he’ll be in the fight. He’s too good, he’s way too good.”
On Woods’ state of fitness
“We all know he’s a badass and he’ll never show his pain. I found it to work without difficulty. […] Dealing with pain is always part of the game. But I’m not sure we all realize how brutal it is to walk like this after what he went through a little over a year ago. . I hope everything will go in the right direction until the first lap, but I am convinced that he will be at the start on Thursday. And if Tiger can walk 72 holes without too many glitches, he’ll be in the fight. He’s too good, he’s way too good. »
Tiger Woods drained a big day crowd this Monday in Augusta, here at the start of the 8. (Hunter Martin/Augusta National)
