Yes, the record of 24 consecutive cuts is very good, but the happiness of Tiger Woods this Friday at Augusta after finishing his second round, was not so much for that record for history as because he feels he has given himself a chance to win the tournament. Everyone talking to him about the record and he’s focused on the win… Don erre que erre, in winner’s version.
“My twenty-fourth consecutive cut means that I have a chance for the weekend. Here I am. I have the option to win the golf tournament. I don’t know if everyone is going to finish today, but I already finished. I’ve already done my two rounds. I just need some food and caffeine, and I’ll be ready for tomorrow,” he says.
Don’t think it’s a more or less brave or ambitious way of speaking. Tiger does the math in his head, thinking about what separates him from the leaders, what’s left to play and the conditions of this Masters. “I’m there. Right now I’m only eight behind (the leader was -7 when he was talking to the journalists). I don’t think anyone is going to run off and hide, but things are very tight. The way the ball moves on the greens, how delicate the chip shots are… this is everything you want in a golf course today,” he says.
Woods admits that today’s physical and mental challenge has been significant, but he is very satisfied with his short game. “Yes, I’m tired. I’ve been out for a while, competing, striving. It’s been 23 long holes today, a long day. I was forced to make a lot of recoveries, but I was able to make them because I missed on the good side, I left them in the perfect place, and that’s understanding how to play this golf course. The only exception was the 14th,” he points out.
Finally, as for Max Homa, his playing partner who is at -6, Tiger sees him winning more than one Major. “He has all the talent in the world. I had the chance to play with him at the Open Championship and his ball flight, as solid as he hits it, it’s only a matter of time before he starts winning them in bunches. He doesn’t miss the shots and that’s something you have to do on this golf course,” he concludes.
