Tiger Woods Brimming with Regained Confidence Entering PGA Championship
Press Release
It's been a season of change for Tiger Woods. Unlike 1998 when a prescribed swing change was in the works, the microscope under which he lives today is arguably much keener than it has ever been before and the expectations are unprecedented.
While preparing for this week's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc., Woods addressed (compiled from a variety of wire reports) some of the changes he's made this year and how things are beginning to gel in time before the final Major championship of the year.
"I'm very excited about the prospects of what's happening," said Woods about the work on his game. He has also gone to a graphite-shafted 410cc Ignite driver since the Western Open, up considerably in size from the 340cc Ignite he had been playing since last October. The larger head Ignite has been proven in testing to provide greater distance and forgiveness off the tee.
Coincidentally, the Ignite has averaged more money per start on Tour than any other driver in 2004, according to the Darrell Survey.
Woods has expressed marked improvement and confidence since switching to the 410 Ignite at the same time he has been settling into the tweaks in his mechanics. Since the Western, he has finished consistently in the Top 10, including a tie for third at the recent Buick Open, with an average score nearly 10-under par during the six-week stretch.
"The driver has been great for me. I feel very comfortable and confident with it," said Woods whose confidence off the tee has obviously extended to the rest of his golf game.
Woods went through a well-publicized swing change in 1998. This season, his change of coaches has overshadowed the work he has been conducting on-course. Nonetheless, Woods has remained patient and undaunted.
"Have I ever second-guessed it?" he said. "No. Because I knew that this is the direction I wanted to go in order to become better."
"It feels very similar to that [the change process in 1998], and the things that are starting to come together," Woods added. "It's very exciting, just like it was back in '98 and '99 where they were starting to gel towards the end of '98 and the beginning of '99. That part of it is very similar."
Woods joins a dozen more members of Nike Golf's Tour Staff teeing off tomorrow at Whistling Straits.
