Tiger Woods Calls Phil Mickelson’s Perspectives ‘Polarized’


TULSA, Okla. — On Tuesday, when Tiger Woods spoke publicly for the first time since his stunning return at the Masters Tournament last month, the expected issue was that he continued to recover from a near-fatal car crash in 2021. Woods indeed said that his reconstructed right leg felt stronger as he prepared for this week’s PGA Championship, which begins Thursday at Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club.

But perhaps for the first time, Woods has spent nearly as much time discussing his longtime rival, Phil Mickelson, at any press conference in public in more than 30 years. And Woods didn’t usually say flattery about Mickelson.

Woods has been insistent on moving away from Mickelson, who has not played since he made provocative statements in February to support a Saudi-backed golf league that would not defend the PGA Championship title and hope to rival the established PGA Tour.

Although Mickelson has reached out to Woods privately in the past during his struggles following a sensational marital infidelity scandal in 2009 and a car crash that rolled down a Los Angeles area boulevard last year, Woods hasn’t contacted Mickelson on Tuesday.

“I did not reach him; I didn’t talk to him,” Woods said. “I think most of it has nothing to do with personal matters. These were our perspectives on how the tour should and could be run, and what the players were playing for and how we played for it. I have a completely different stance on this, so no, there isn’t.”

Woods added: “We miss having him here. So, it’s a big draw for the game of golf. He’s just taking his time and we all wish him the best when he gets back.”

But after acknowledging that the social media landscape had escalated and quickly polarized the dispute between the PGA Tour and the breakaway league, Woods said: “Phil’s views on the tour, and what the tour meant to all of us, was also polarizing.”

Mickelson has applied for release from the PGA Tour to play in the inaugural event of the fledgling golf circuit, LIV Golf, outside of London next month. The PGA Tour denied Mickelson’s request and any requests made by its members, and threatened to suspend or otherwise discipline players playing in the alternative tour’s events. In February, Mickelson sparked a spate of criticism after acknowledging that Saudi Arabia had “a terrible track record on human rights” — including the murder of the Washington Post journalist — but said he was still talking and helping with the new round. a “A once in a lifetime opportunity” To put pressure on the PGA Tour. Earlier this year, Mickelson accused the PGA Tour of “heinous greed.” He later said his remarks were “reckless”.

On Tuesday, when Woods was asked how his disagreements with Mickelson could be resolved, Woods replied: “I don’t know if he should settle this. I understand different points of view, but I believe in legacies. I believe in big championships. I believe in major events, comparisons with historical figures of the past. There is a lot of money here. The tour is growing. But like any other sport, you have to go there and win it.”

Not to mention Mickelson on Tuesday, Woods’ rebuilt right leg looked a lot stronger than last month, when he apparently tried to climb every hill during the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. On a practice tour in Tulsa, Woods actually He climbed a steep slope half-run.

Woods smiled when asked how much he had improved physically during the past five weeks of additional rehab for serious injuries from the 2021 crash.

“The first mountain I ever climbed was Everest,” he said. “So, yes, I’m better than the last tournament I played.” “I still have hard days and things aren’t going to be as easy as people think. I am still better – more positive days.”

But Woods, who used to be known for training almost non-stop, especially with his pitcher, now taunts him when asked if he can train enough.

“To practice a lot? No, I don’t do that anymore,” he replied. “Long bowing, hitting a lot of sticks like before? No, that won’t happen – my back isn’t like that.”

However, some things have not changed. Woods didn’t come to any event unless he believed he could finish first. This stability has not been broken.

When asked if he could win, Woods replied, “I feel like I can – definitely.” “I just have to go over there and do it. It starts Thursday and I’ll be ready.”

Jon Rahm, the world’s best men’s golfer and also this week’s course, said he was not surprised that Woods wanted to win every tournament.

“Hey, the world wants him to win,” Rahm said with a grin.

In a stunning grouping, Rory McIlroy will play in Thursday’s first round against Woods and Jordan Spieth, who has won every major golf title except the PGA Championship. McIlroy expects to see an upgrade from Woods, who started strong at last month’s Masters but faded in the last two rounds.

“Has it been, like, six weeks since Augusta?” he asked. “Six weeks is long enough to get out of that week and then rebuild yourself.”



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