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SPORTS Thursday 30 November 2017
Focus more on how long Tiger Woods lasts more than his score

By DOUG FERGUSON He lasted only three starts
AP Golf Writer when he came back from
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — his first back surgery in the
One year later, the scene summer of 2014. He lasted
hadn’t changed. two starts after he returned
Jordan Spieth paused on at the end of 2014, and
the 17th green and looked then after playing all four
across the water to the ad- majors in 2015, he had a
jacent fairway at Albany pair of back surgeries. And
Golf Club as Tiger Woods hit when he returned from
his shot to the ninth green, those last year in the Baha-
just like he did last year at mas, he lasted only three
the Hero World Challenge. events.
Curiosity is just as high over “My physio was certainly
another return from injury working overtime last year
for Woods and how he will after every day and even
fare after a long layoff. in the morning, trying to get
What’s different about the me ready to go,” Woods
expectations for this come- said.
back — his fifth since he Woods said the reason his
first had back surgery in comeback last year was
the spring of 2014 — is they over so quickly was due pri-
are more about how long marily to the rough at Tor-
Woods will last than what rey Pines and not realizing
kind of scores he posts. his disk was in bad shape.
“He seems more confident Tiger Woods tries to drive the 7th green during the pro-am for the Hero World Challenge at Albany He said the deceleration in
this year the way he’s walk- Golf Club in Nassau, Bahamas on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. his swing when he hit out of
ing and talking,” Spieth Associated Press the rough made the injury
said Wednesday in a whis- Woods since a 77 in the erence to how far Woods spots into the top 1,000. worse.
per, having lost his voice to Dubai Desert Classic on was driving it past him. Brad That still seems odd for a That’s why there’s so much
illness. “He seemed more Feb. 3. Faxon, who played with guy who spent 683 weeks emphasis on his health. He
excited at the Presidents That was his seventh round Woods and Dustin Johnson at No. 1 in the world. looks built to last, or at least
Cup before he was even in his return. He withdrew last Friday in a round with What enthuses Woods is last a little longer. And this
swinging, more anxious. the next day, citing back President Donald Trump, playing again. is the ideal spot for Woods
And it seemed to really spasms, and had a fourth said Woods looked at ease “It’s been a very long time, to return.
bother him that he was fol- back surgery in April to and held nothing back in and I’m really looking for- There is no cut. Woods is
lowing doctor’s orders, like fuse two disks in his lower his swing, especially with ward to getting out there guaranteed four rounds. In-
he really wanted to get go- back. Woods reports some the driver. and playing with Justin terest is high. Pressure is not.
ing. So once he was given stiffness and not as much Woods had to keep score in and having a good time,” “I think it’s an easy week
the go, I think it was excit- range in motion. But he his pro-am round Wednes- Woods said. for Tiger as it is for anybody
ing for him. says he has no pain. day, and that included a After that, it will be time to else versus other weeks —
“So we’re all very interest- The hype about this return 2 on the 350-yard seventh reassess. not as many people, the
ed, as we should be, in how has been fueled by friend- hole when he drove the “I just really want to be able golf course doesn’t beat
it goes for him this week ly rounds over the last few green with a breeze at his to complete this week, play you up,” Spieth said.
— and obviously, hoping weeks. back and holed a 20-foot all four days and give my- “But you can start to see it’s
that’s the start.” Justin Thomas, the PGA putt for eagle. self a chance on that back actually, I think, pretty im-
The start of his latest come- Tour player of the year who The tournament is unoffi- nine on Sunday to win this portant, these end-of-the-
back is Thursday against an will be paired with Woods cial, though it offers world thing,” said Woods, whose year tournaments to kind
18-man field that features on Thursday, said fans will ranking points. Woods is at last victory was more than of set a precedent for next
eight of the top nine play- be “shocked at how good No. 1,199 in the world, and four years ago at Firestone year.”
ers in the world. It’s the first his game looks.” Rickie even if he finishes last, he’ll in the Bridgestone Invita- That especially holds true
time every shot counts for Fowler made a casual ref- move up more than 200 tional. for Woods.q

Alfa Romeo back in F1 with Sauber after more than 30 years

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Alfa Ro- meo Sauber F1 Team. Next series’ first two years, when
meo has joined up with the year’s car will bear the Alfa Giuseppe “Nino” Farina
Sauber team for a return Romeo logo and will be and Juan Manuel Fangio
to Formula One after an equipped with Ferrari pow- won the 1950 and 1951 ti-
absence of more than 30 er units. tles in Alfas.
years. FCA CEO Sergio Mar- Ferrari junior program and
Sauber said Wednesday it chionne said the deal Formula Two champion
has reached a “multi-year marks “a significant step in Charles Leclerc is expect-
technical and commercial the reshaping of the Alfa ed to drive for Sauber next
partnership” with the Italian Romeo brand.” season and there is also
automaker, which is part of The Alfa name last ap- speculation that Antonio
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. peared in F1 in 1985, al- Giovinazzi, another Ferrari In this July 1, 1951 file photo Juan Manuel Fangio comes out of a
bend at speed during the race, driving a supercharged 1.5 Liter
From 2018, the team will though its biggest achieve- product, could become Alfa Romeo during the Grand Prix D’Europe at Rheims, France.
be known as the Alfa Ro- ments came during the the team’s second driver.q Associated Press