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SPORTS Thursday 15 March 2018

Tiger Woods looking to cap another comeback at Bay Hill

By DOUG FERGUSON through the process of get-
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The ting myself in position."
future of Tiger Woods is filled At least he knows the
with optimism because of course, even if he hasn't
the past. been here in five years.
The next stop on his remark- Marc Leishman is the de-
able road to recovery from fending champion, get-
four years' worth of back ting up-and-down with
trouble is the Arnold Palm- a 45-yard pitch shot that
er Invitational, the tourna- rolled out to 3 feet for par
ment he has won a record on the final hole. In some
eight times on a course that respects, so is Woods. He
feels comfortable to him. won in 2013 by two shots
There also is a short history over Justin Rose, a victory
of Woods winning at Bay that returned him to No. 1
Hill during various come- in the world.
backs. When he was out Now he is at No. 149, which
nearly nine months recov- sounds good only when
ering from reconstructive considering that he was
surgery, his first victory back No. 1,199 five tournaments
was at Bay Hill when he ago.
made a 15-foot birdie for a Las Vegas thinks so highly
one-shot victory over Sean of Woods, especially after
O'Hair. After going more his runner-up finish at the
than two years without win- Valspar Championship,
ning on the PGA Tour while that the Westgate Las Ve-
trying to patch his personal gas Superbook has him fa- Tiger Woods shrugs while responding to a reporter's question during a news conference at the
Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in Orlando, Fla.
life back together, Woods vored at 6-1 to win at Bay Associated Press
finally broke through at Bay Hill. It's the first time Woods
Hill with a five-shot victory has been favored to win a
over Graeme McDowell. PGA Tour event since Tor- Phil Mickelson to Bart Bry- him. There are going to be was 15.
Six months after Woods rey Pines in 2014. ant. He won in 2003 by 11 a lot of cheers for him and "And then I moved here
wasn't sure if he would be "We keep saying it's surpris- shots while coping with dry that's fine, but I need to put in '96 and he invited me
able to compete again at ing, but it's Tiger Woods, heaves from food poison- my head down and just try over here to play in his
a high level, he is the bet- for God's sake," said Jason ing. to do my job." Monday shootout, and I
ting favorite at Bay Hill. That Day, who at 12-1 is the sec- Day and Hideki Mat- Woods finished his pro-am did and I didn't like it very
stems from his runner-up fin- ond betting favorite. suyama, out since Phoenix round Wednesday and much because he took my
ish last week at Innisbrook, Bay Hill will be a different with a wrist injury, will play posed for a few pictures money," Woods said. "But I
where he was never more test from Innisbrook, mainly with Woods over the next with volunteers, even one thoroughly enjoyed being
than three shots behind in because it requires a little few days. Rory McIlroy has of their children. What around him, being with him
the final round and had a more length off the tee and said in recent weeks that might be more eerie is and we had so many great
long birdie putt at the end with unseasonably cool air with so much commotion, it walking off the 18th green times — none more so than
to force a playoff. this week, the ball isn't likely costs Woods a half-shot per on Sunday without seeing last time I won here.
He looks closer than ever to to travel as far. Day was round. Day sees it the other Palmer. "I'm cleaning out my locker,
winning. He always seems explaining the difference way, saying Woods thrives Palmer died in September and he's over there having
to win at Bay Hill. when he looked over to the with so much attention. 2016 as the American team his ice tea thing and so he's
If it only it were that simple. right at a TV screen show- "A lot of people are excited was on its way to Hazeltine just sitting there and, 'Hey,
"Just because I won here ing — who else? — Woods. about how Tiger's starting for the Ryder Cup. Woods grab a seat.' So we sat
eight times doesn't mean Woods is everywhere this to show signs in the right di- has never been to Bay Hill down, we just started to BS
I'm going to win this week week. He has a long list of rection, and I think it's going without being in the King's and have a great time to-
automatically," Woods highlights at Bay Hill, most- to be a lot of fun over the presence, starting with his gether," Woods said. "And
said. "I've still got to do ly birdie putts on the 18th next two days," Day said. U.S. Junior Amateur title I'm going to miss those
the work. I've still got to go hole to beat everyone from "They're all out there for that Woods won when he times, for sure."q