Can't see Tiger, only the trees

18 June 2015 - 02:01 By James Corrigan

If Tiger Woods were not still committed to golf, he would not be going through all this anguish, not embarrassing himself in full view of the entire planet. That was his message to those who doubt the American still has the hunger at the 115th US Open.Even his friends have flashed up the question marks, after they watched him shoot an 85 at the Memorial two weeks ago on the way to his worst 72-hole display as a pro. Notay Begay, his childhood friend, walked with Woods during the nine holes he played with Jordan Spieth on Tuesday and was, apparently, impressed with his form.Except just a few days ago Begay was asking whether it was possible for a multimillionaire with 14 majors to have the inspiration to climb from 195th in the rankings all the way back to the summit. "It's tough to find the motivation to just get up and go out and do it again," Begay said.It surely is tough. Woods acknowledges so. But the fact that it is tough is all the validation he needs."It's short-term suffering for long-term gain," Woods said. "Obviously I've got to do it in front of the world, and sometimes it's tough. But I've got to suck it up and do it. The good news is I've done it before in my career. I know what it feels like."That is Woods's default setting whenever he is challenged about his woeful streak. The former world No1 will never concede that his toils have been mental as well as physical, because then he would be admitting that he no longer possesses the uncrackable psyche, that he no longer has the stomach for the fight."I wouldn't have made the changes if I wasn't devoted to the game of golf and winning golf tournaments," Woods said. "I want to be out here. I want to play. I want to compete and I want to win. It's so much fun having a chance to win on the back nine on Sunday."From my very first major to now, it feels the same. I want to win these championships. I love them. I love playing them."So much for golf being "a chore" to Woods, as Hunter Mahan, another friend, suggested last week. But then, as Mahan suggested, Woods's body language has belied his words. Granted, after a brilliant 2013, during which he did everything but win a major, a back operation ruined last season and younger players have taken more than a year to recover fully. Yet that steely look has gone and the aura has diminished to nought.Play like he did at Muirfield Village and Chambers Bay will chew him up and spit him out into the Pacific.Day 1 of the US Open airs from 10pm tonight on Supersport 1. ..

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