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Woods looks in shape for Masters after making quick recovery

 

James Corrigan
Tuesday 20 March 2012 01:00 GMT
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TIGER WOODS: The former world No 1 is not happy about a book written by his ex-coach
TIGER WOODS: The former world No 1 is not happy about a book written by his ex-coach

Tiger Woods eased concerns he would miss the first Masters of his career by coming through 18 holes of an exhibition event yesterday, just eight days after an Achilles injury forced his withdrawal from the WGC Cadillac Championship.

Not only did Woods survive the opening round of the Tavistock Cup in Florida, but he showed no sign of a limp and, partnering England's Justin Rose in a better-ball format, played with distinction.

"I did the smart and prudent thing this time, hence I'm back in a week," said the 36-year-old who quit in Doral with seven holes of his final round remaining. "I've played through pain before and set myself back. Last year I missed two majors because of it. I want to be ready for Augusta."

Following the denouement of the mega-bucks event at Lake Nona today, Woods plans to tee it up in the Arnold Palmer Invitational which starts at nearby Bay Hill on Thursday and then take next week off before travelling to Georgia on the mission to win his first major in four years. The game will be relieved to have him in the field, regardless of the latest "revelations" to leak out from Hank Haney's forthcoming book about their six years together.

His former coach claimed The Big Miss would concentrate on golf, but American newspapers have been awash with snippets. Woods is depicted as cold and mean.

Haney claims Woods, who was furious when he discovered the book was being written, disliked some of his rivals and went as far as naming them. Ian Poulter is supposedly one of these, as is Phil Mickelson.

Already The Big Miss, to be published next week to coincide with the Masters, has caused plenty of discomfort for Woods, who has become tetchy when asked about it.

Haney also says that during the 2006 Ryder Cup, Woods turned on the adult channel when he was sharing a room with his team-mate Zach Johnson. Haney says Woods thought the reaction of Johnson, a devout Christian, was funny.

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