Struggling for form and plagued by injuries, Tiger Woods is exploring his past to rediscover himself and his once ferocious swing as he prepares for a comeback at the Hero World Challenge, starting on Thursday.
Sir Nic Faldo had said that Woods must change his swing if he wishes to prolong his career. Analyst Brandel Chamblee had even gone to the extent of saying that the technique of swing taught to him by coach Sean Foley was faulty and root cause of his back problems.
Woods fired Foley in August after withdrawing from WGC- Bridgestone Invitational and recently hired Chris Como as his swing consultant. Woods said his and Como's vision on how his swing should be going forward was the same. Asked how different it would be, Woods said, “It's new but old.”
“We looked at a lot of videos from when I was a junior and playing amateur golf. And it was interesting to see where my swing was then and how much force I could generate with a skinny frame. How do I generate that much powerIJ That's kind of what we are getting back into it,” Woods said while addressing a press conference at the Isleworth Golf and Country Club.
The 38-year-old said he needs to hit more balls to be ready but the sharp pain in his troubled back is surely gone.
“It feels great. I have gotten stronger and faster,” Woods said ahead of the PGA Tour tournament, hosted by him. “I just now need to hit more balls, but the body is good. I don't have the sharp pain like I used to at the beginning of the year. I still have some aches and pains, just like anybody else who is my age and older," he said.
Woods said he has realised that his body was not the same anymore but getting old would not stop him from winning Majors. With 14 Majors, Woods is the second highest winner in the history of the game with Jack Nicklaus standing at the top with 18 trophies.