Farmingdale: Tiger Woods proved many doubters wrong with his triumph at last month’s Masters, where he not only completed a comeback story for the ages but also put Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major titles back into play.
Woods, who has not competed since collecting his 15th major at Augusta, will get his next chance to chip away at the landmark when he tees it up in Farmingdale, New York for the May 16-19 PGA Championship.
After Woods secured a one-shot victory to claim his fifth Green Jacket, the former world No. 1 was naturally asked about his pursuit of the all-time major record.
“I really haven’t thought about that yet,” Woods said at his post-Masters news conference. “I’m sure that I’ll probably think of it going down the road. Maybe, maybe not. But right now, it’s a little soon, and I’m just enjoying 15.”
Woods should feel good about the opportunity that lies ahead as he will undoubtedly bring a renewed sense of confidence into the year’s next two majors as well as the knowledge that he has won on both courses before.
The PGA Championship will be held at Bethpage Black, the scene of the 2002 US Open triumph by Woods, while the June 13-16 US Open will be held at Pebble Beach, where in 2000 he won that event by 15 strokes.
“Eighteen is, I think, a lot closer than people think,” said reigning PGA Championship and US Open winner Brooks Koepka. “I would say that’s probably what all fans, what we’re thinking. That he’s definitely back and 18’s not far.”
