That Was My Best Says Woods
After winning his third British Open and his eleventh major, Tiger Woods reflected on his stunning performance.
Woods shot a final-round 67 on Sunday to finish two clear of the field at Hoylake. It was his first major win since the death of his father in May.
“As far as my control, it was probably one of the best ball striking weeks I’ve ever had,” he said.
“That’s shaping the ball, moving my trajectory and different heights and controlling my spin into the greens.”
The normally ice-cool Woods cut an emotional figure after putting in for victory on the 18th.
It was his first win since the death of his father Earl and he burst into tears as he first hugged caddie Steve Williams before embracing his wife Elin and then coach Hank Haney.
“I’ve never done that,” he added. “You know me. So I guess it’s just all the things that we’ve gone through of late.”
“I guess I’m kind of the one who bottles things up a little bit and moves on, tries to deal with things in my own way.”
“But at that moment it just came pouring out and of all the things that my father has meant to me and the game of golf.”
“I just wish he could have seen it one more time.”
Woods won the Open in 2000 and 2005 but insisted this victory meant more to him considering events surrounding the tournament.
“No doubt about it,” he said. “Absolutely no doubt about it.”
“Basically to win your first tournament after my father had passed away, and for it to be a major championship, it makes it that much more special.”
Woods opted for a rigid strategy and stuck to it throughout the four rounds.
He decided not to use his driver, and instead to employ his irons off the tees to limit the chances of playing wayward shots and missing the fairways.
He said his approach was born out of the influence his father had on his game.
“He would have been very proud,” Woods said.
“He was always on my case about thinking my way around the golf course and not letting emotions get the better of you, because it’s so very easy to do in this sport.”
“He would say just use your mind to plot your way around the golf course and, if you had to deviate from the game plan, make sure it is the right decision to do that.”
“He was very adamant I play like that my entire playing career.”
