NAN Archive

Loading

NAN Archive

Tag Tiger Woods

  • Apr, Wed, 2020
Sport

Woods, Mickelson to play coronavirus relief golf match with American football stars

Match
New York, April 1, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will play a coronavirus relief golf match next month with Super Bowl-winning quarter-backs Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, according to a report on Wednesday.

The report, which sourced an unnamed person familiar with the negotiations, said the charity match would be held at an undisclosed location without fans.

It is being organised by the PGA Tour and AT&T’s WarnerMedia.

The negotiations are still being finalised but the match pitting 15-times major champion Woods and Manning against five-times major winner Mickelson and Brady could be aired on live TV.

The report said further that the match is unlikely to be featured on pay-per-view.

“Discussions along these lines have been ongoing for quite some time, but nothing has been approved by the tour,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.

A match-up featuring two of the most famous golfers of their era and two of the all-time greatest NFL quarter-backs would be a rare sports event during the coronavirus pandemic.

Already, the pandemic has brought the sports world to a halt.

The event will feature a small production crew to film it and each individual will obey the social-distancing recommendations to stay six-feet apart, the report said.

Mickelson was asked recently on Twitter about the chances of a round of golf against Woods being live streamed in the near future, and the American replied: “Working on it”.

When another fan tweeted to Mickelson asking him not to “tease”, the 49-year-old responded: “I don’t tease. I’m kinda a sure thing”.

Woods, 44, last competed in mid-February and then withdrew from a number of tournaments with a back injury.

That was before the PGA Tour decided to cancel a slew of events because of the coronavirus.

Mickelson finished third in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in early February and missed the cut in his next two starts.

Woods and Mickelson played against each other in a winner-takes-all nine million dollars matchplay exhibition in November 2018 that was golf’s first venture into pay-per-view.

That event was hyped like a Las Vegas prize fight but proved more of a pillow fight with both golfers in jovial mood.

They were playing for a purse that was put up by sponsors and went to a charity of Mickelson’s choice.

Brady recently joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years with the New England Patriots during which he won an NFL-record six Super Bowl titles.

Manning, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, retired in 2016 as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and yards.

He is the only five-times winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player award.(Reuters/NAN)
OLAL
======

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

  • Mar, Mon, 2020
Sport

Woods, Park outside Tokyo Olympics qualifying as coronavirus halts tours

Golf
Tokyo, March 16, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) No changes are planned to the Olympic golf qualifying system, the International Golf Federation (IGF) which runs the event said on Monday after the sport shut down due to the coronavirus.

This could deal a hammer blow to the chances of Tiger Woods qualifying for Tokyo 2020, and for Park In-bee’s hopes of being eligible to defend her title from Rio 2016.

Based on the current rankings, Woods (U.S.) and Park (South Korea) would not qualify for their respective teams.

However, scrambling the equation is that even if the Olympics go ahead, many golfers could opt out, much as they did from Rio 2016 due to concerns over the zika virus.

Eligibility for the Tokyo 2020 men’s and women’s events will be determined by world ranking points.

They are compiled over almost two years from July 1, 2018 until June 22 (men) and June 29 (women) this year.

The list essentially mirrors the world rankings in determining the 60-player fields, with a maximum of two players from any single country (four if inside the top 15).

But the halting of the professional tour schedules for an undetermined time frame will have winners and losers, because there will be little week-to-week flux in the rankings.

Those on the outside looking in will for the most part continue looking in, and vice-versa.

“This has proven to be a fair and equitable system,” the IGF said of the qualifying system in an email to Reuters.

“The IGF is monitoring the challenges faced by our athletes to participate in events, which continue to change daily, and we currently believe that the system still remains fair to all athletes who are vying for qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

In other words, bad luck if you’re outside the qualifying cut line and hoping to play your way in.

Though Park is 11th on the overall women’s world list, she is only the fifth-ranked Korean behind Ko Jin-young, Park Sung-hyun, Kim Sei-young and Lee Jeong-eun.

The LPGA Tour has canceled three tournaments in Asia, and postponed three U.S. tournaments that were scheduled over the next month.

Even if rescheduled, it is unlikely these American tournaments will be played before the Olympic cut-off.

An even bigger question from a global marketing aspect is what the PGA Tour shutdown, at least through next month’s Masters, means to Woods’s hopes.

He is sixth on the American list, behind Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson and Patrick Reed.

Dustin Johnson has ruled himself out, citing a busy schedule, though he could be joined by others wanting to keep their travel to a minimum unless the coronavirus abates quickly.

Woods, 44, has often stated his desire to play in what would likely be his only chance of being an Olympian.

Though he has more important matters on his mind given that he was unable to enter last week’s Players Championship due to a stiff back, and there are no exemptions.

He has played only twice this year.

The 15-time major champion plays such a limited schedule at the best of times that even if, under a best-case scenario, the PGA Tour cranks back up again in mid-April.

There are only a handful of events he will contest before the Olympics deadline.

The Olympics golf tournaments are scheduled to take place from July 30 to Aug. 2 (men) and Aug. 6 to 9 (women) at the Kasumigaseki course.(Reuters/NAN)
ERO/OLAL
==========

(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)

 

  • Mar, Thu, 2020
Sport

Woods to be inducted into 2021 Hall of Fame

Chelsea
Abuja, March 12, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.

“I am both honored and humbled,” Woods, a 15-times major winner, said in a statement on Wednesday after receiving the necessary 75 per cent of support from the body’s voting panel.

“This achievement is the ultimate recognition to never give up and keep chasing.”

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan paid tribute to the 44-year-old Woods.

Woods is missing from the Players Championship starting in Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida on Thursday due to a back issue.

“Tiger has done more for the game of golf than anyone ever thought possible, and his historic feats on the course are only one aspect of his impact,” said Monahan.

“His imprint on the game is immeasurable, and his unparalleled legacy is one we look forward to celebrating as he’s inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year.”

Woods’s 15 major championships are second only to the 18 captured by Jack Nicklaus.

Woods also has 82 official PGA Tour victories (which include the 15 majors), tied for the all-time record with Sam Snead.

The Hall of Fame recently lowered the age of qualification to 45.

Woods turns 45 on Dec. 30.(Reuters/NAN)
OLAL
======

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Asian aces take Woods, Thomas down to the wire in Melbourne

Cup
Melbourne, Dec. 13, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Justin Thomas drained a 17-foot putt at the last to give the U.S. a precious Presidents Cup point on Friday.

It was a measure of the challenge presented by the Internationals that he and Tiger Woods celebrated it like they had won a major.

Tiger Woods on the 7th hole during The Challenge: Japan Skins golf competition at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Matt Roberts-USA TODAY/File Photo/File Photo

An Byeong-hun and Hideki Matsuyama had looked like a pair of sacrificial lambs when they were sent out in the foursomes.

They took on former world number one Thomas and U.S. captain Woods at Royal Melbourne.

In spite of going down early, however, the Asian duo were far from overawed and battled back to lead twice before going toe-to-toe with their rivals over the last five holes.

That was until Thomas’s nerveless birdie putt gave the Americans the match.

Thomas let out a huge roar and pumped his fists while 43-year-old Woods danced around him like a teenager.

They celebrated a win that helped the Americans rally from 6-1 down to a 6.5-3.5 deficit at the end of day two.

“We were both screaming,” said Woods. “It was a phenomenal moment, and it was priceless.

“We were just competing, we were fighting,” the 15-times major winner added.

“JT and I got in our own little bubble doing our own little thing. We got up early then they flipped it on us.

“Then we clawed our way back and JT steps up there and pours this thing in at the last hole and it gives me absolute chills man. Absolute chills.”

South Korean An was a late call-up to the International team after former world number one Jason Day withdrew with a back complaint.

Japan’s Matsuyama had a patchy record over his three previous appearances.

The Americans had to bring some of their best game just to stay in the match at some points, however, as Matsuyama and An showed off no inconsiderable skills of their own.

Woods’s partnership with Thomas also brought the U.S. their only point on day one but the skipper has decided to sit out the Saturday fourballs.

2017 PGA Championship winner Thomas has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

On Thursday, Matsuyama had teamed up with Taiwan’s CT Pan and An with Adam Scott for wins.

This was as the Asians had a hand in three of the four points scored by the Internationals on the way to a 4-1 lead.

They will revert to their original pairings for day three and An said Friday’s defeat would not have an enduring effect.

“It wasn’t an easy battle out there and they played amazing golf, and so did we I think,” he said.

“I know we lost but we’re still leading the tournament. Our confidence is high, and this definitely is not going to let us down, that’s for sure.”(Reuters/NAN)
ERO/OLAL
==========

(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Woods to sit out Saturday fourballs at Presidents Cup

Golf
Melbourne, Dec. 13, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) United States’ captain Tiger Woods has decided to sit out Saturday morning’s fourball matches against the Internationals at the Presidents Cup.

Justin Thomas, whose partnership with Woods at Royal Melbourne has helped keep the U.S. in touch with the Internationals, has instead been paired with Rickie Fowler.

They face Australian Marc Leishman and China’s Li Haotong, who has been handed his Presidents Cup debut by team captain Ernie Els on the third day of the biennial competition.

Woods has decided to stick with the misfiring combination of Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson.

He sent them out for a third time in spite of defeats in the first two days, to face Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and Taiwan’s CT Pan.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele face the South Korean pair after Friday’s win over Adam Hadwin and Joaquin Niemann helped the U.S. hold the Internationals to a 6.5-3.5 lead.

They take on Im Sung-jae and Abraham Ancer in an all-rookie match.

Tony Finau is back in the U.S. line-up after being rested on Friday and will partner Matt Kuchar against Australian Adam Scott and An Byeong-hun of South Korea.

The pairings for Saturday afternoon’s foursome matches have yet to be announced.(Reuters/NAN)
ERO/OLAL
===========

(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Woods wins Masters to end 11-year major drought

Masters

Augusta (USA), April 14, 2019 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods won the Masters for the fifth time on Sunday to land his 15th major title and the first since 2008.

Woods, carded a two-under-par 70 to finish one shot ahead of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.

He had started the final round two shots back of overnight leader Francesco Molinari but leapfrogged the Italian on the final day.(Reuters/NAN)
KIA/MUYI/OLAL
==============

(Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Tiger Woods wins Tour Championship, ending five-year drought

Woods

Atlanta (U.S.A), Sept. 23, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods won his first title since 2013 when he captured the Tour Championship by two strokes in Atlanta on Sunday.

Woods led throughout the final round and finished at 11-under-par 269 at East Lake, where he carded a closing 71 for his 80th PGA Tour victory. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/MZA

Sport

Woods makes mediocre return to FedExCup playoffs

Woods makes mediocre return to FedExCup playoffs

Paramus (U.S.), Aug. 23, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods made his FedExCup playoffs return on Thursday after a five-year absence.

However, he shot a mediocre level-par 71 in the first round of The Northern Trust to sit five shots behind the clubhouse leaders in Paramus, New Jersey.

The former world number one mixed two birdies with two bogeys at Ridgewood Country Club where Americans Kevin Tway and Jamie Lovemark were in the clubhouse at five under.

It was Woods’ first start since a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship.

Despite a soggy course and a calm morning that yielded plenty of low scores, Woods was unable to take advantage.

Woods, who started on the back nine, picked up his first stroke with a birdie at the par-five 17th where his third shot from 30 yards out rolled just past the hole.

The 14-time major champion, who has enjoyed an encouraging return to competition this year after spinal fusion surgery in 2017, mixed two bogeys with a birdie over his closing nine holes.

Defending Northern Trust champion and world number one Dustin Johnson (67) started on the back nine and was one-shot off the clubhouse lead despite a triple-bogey eight at the par-five 17th.

Brooks Koepka, who won two major titles this year, was also one shot off the pace along with a handful of players, including Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and England’s Tommy Fleetwood.

Justin Thomas, who won last year’s $10 million bonus as the FedExCup champion, carded a two-under 69.

The top 125 players in the FedExCup standings were eligible for the first of four playoff events that culminate in a 30-player field for the Sept. 20-23 Tour Championship in Atlanta. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SN

======

Sport

Koepka rises to number two, Woods 26th in world rankings

Golf
Saint Louis (U.S.), Aug. 13, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) American Brooks Koepka has climbed to number two in the world rankings after winning his second major of the year at the PGA Championship on Sunday.

Also, championship runner-up Tiger Woods climbed 24 spots to 26th.

U.S. Open champion Koepka, 28, held off stiff challenges from Woods and Australian Adam Scott to clinch the third major of his career at Bellerive Country Club.

His victory helped to put pressure on rankings leader Dustin Johnson.

Former world number one Woods was in the running to claim a record-equalling fifth PGA Championship and his first major trophy since the 2008 U.S. Open.

But he fell short by two strokes.

The 42-year-old American underwent spinal fusion last year but showed glimpses of the sublime form that has earned him 14 majors.(Reuters/NAN)
VO/DE/OLAL
===========

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

Important thing is how well Woods has played, Ryder Cup captain says

Woods
St. Louis (U.S.), Aug. 13, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tiger Woods has earned a spot on the American Ryder Cup team with his recent hot form, team captain Jim Furyk said on Monday.

Speaking hours after the PGA Championship, where Woods finished second to fellow American Brooks Koepka, Furyk said form was an important factor in determining his four captain’s picks.

Former world number one Woods finished 11th in the U.S. standings, not among the eight players who qualified automatically after the PGA Championship.

Furyk would not be pinned down on whether Woods was guaranteed a place in the team, skirting the question, no doubt cognisant of the diplomacy his job requires.

“I’m not sure numbers are all that important. What is important is how well Tiger has played,” Furyk said.

“His game is trending. It’s great to see him playing well. For me the numbers are nice, good to look at, but not always the most important. We want the players who are going to help us be successful.”

Woods, 14-times major champion, is on the team as a vice-captain, a role he filled at the 2016 Ryder Cup and 2017 Presidents Cup while he was out with a potentially career-ending back injury.

“He’s priceless. He’s been a really big help to our captains in both ‘16 and ‘17 from a strategy perspective,” Furyk said.

“It’s been a big boost to having maybe the best player who ever lived following your group and being there for support. He’s a huge value.”

Furyk will name three of his captain’s picks on Sept. 3, and will announce the final selection a week later.

The biennial match against Europe will be played at Le National in Paris from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30.

The U.S. have not won away since 1993.

Furyk sounded excited about the eight who have made a team loaded with talent.

They include the top three in the world rankings — Dustin Johnson, Koepka and Justin Thomas, and all eight are ranked among the world’s leading 20 players.

The events that unfolded in Sunday’s final round at Bellerive augured well for the Americans, not just the form of Woods but the victory of Koepka.

The latter has in 14 months piled up three major titles

“This guy started out the year injured,” Furyk said, referring to a wrist injury that kept Koepka out of the Masters.

“I know his number one goal this year was to get healthy. Right from the moment he got healthy this year he hit the tour running.

“He loved playing in 2016. He’s tough, fiery, not going to back down.” (Reuters/NAN)
VO/DE/OLAL
===========

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Olawale Alabi)