Tiger Woods is preparing to play in next month's US Open.
Woods was at the Alotian Club outside of Little Rock on Tuesday, making his first public golf-related appearance since the Masters. His father, Earl, died on May 3, and Woods hasn't played since he tied for third at Augusta National on April 9.
But he played a round at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, on Saturday, an indication he will be back there on June 15-18 for the US Open. Woods was in Arkansas for a clinic coinciding with the inaugural Jackson T. Stephens Charitable Golf Tournament, and he put on a demonstration for a few dozen children from Stephens-supported charities.
PHOTO: AP
When asked by a member of the crowd how he would prepare for the US Open, Woods said he had plenty of practicing to do.
"Obviously, you have to drive the ball great at US Opens. You can't win a US Open driving the ball poorly," Woods said. "Work on my driving and really work on my irons, distance control."
Woods spoke of his father a few times while addressing the crowd, including at the end, when he was asked what advice he had for his young fans.
"I think the greatest advice is to care and share," Woods said. "My dad was so adamant about that line. He said if you care about something, you'll share it. And if you love life, you'll share life. I love kids and I'll share with them whatever I have."
The Arkansas tournament, which was on Monday and Tuesday, is named after Jack Stephens, the late billionaire, philanthropist and former chief executive officer of Stephens Inc. Stephens was chairman of Augusta National in 1997, when Woods won the Masters there for his first major championship.
The children at the clinic were seated on a small incline behind Woods as he hit. At the start, Woods said other spectators seated in chairs further back could move closer if they wanted. Afterward, he posed for pictures with the kids.
"Tiger's not at all what I thought he would be," said Hayley Carter, 15, of Greenwood. "I pictured him as being quiet and off to himself, but he was a lot different."
Woods often answered questions from the audience.
"I know he doesn't feel well, but unless somebody told you, I don't think you'd know it," said Warren Stephens, Jack Stephens' son.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two