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SPORTS Tuesday 12 June 2018
Tiger Woods remains an enigma entering U.S. Open

By TIM DAHLBERG ing. So far this isn't the Tiger said at the Players Champi-
AP Sports Columnist of old in the most important onship.
His irons are sublime, his way imaginable for the "I've hit it good enough
driver for the most part long greatest player of his time to be right up next to that
and straight. — he isn't winning. lead. If I just putt normal,
If we've learned anything It might be age — Woods I'm right there," Woods said
from his latest comeback, is in great shape for 42 but at Wells Fargo, where he
Tiger Woods can still putt a the noticeably thinning hair never cracked the top 30
bit, too. gives away the fact he's in four days.
A decade ago that would been playing professional Don't bother calling in the
have made him the over- golf for the better part of shrinks because Woods has
whelming pick to win the a quarter century and the always been somewhat
U.S. Open. Heck, a decade nerves might not be what in denial when parts of his
ago he won the U.S. Open they once were. It might be magical game desert him.
basically on one leg for something psychological, It's what helps fuel him for
what, incredibly enough, though Woods keeps his in- the next day, and gets him
was his last major champi- ner thoughts so close that up for the next challenge.
onship win. no one really knows what But there's wistful thinking,
But as Woods docks his goes on inside his head. and then there's reality.
yacht near Shinnecock Hills It might be that players And the reality is, Woods
this week he's still a golfing don't lie down in front of has floundered pretty
enigma of sorts. His scores him anymore, or that many much every time he's got-
are decent, if not spectac- are too young to even un- ten near the top of the lea-
ular, but he's yet to win and derstand just what Tiger- derboard over the last few
has only been in serious mania once was. months.
contention once in nine Or it might just be — and this A tee shot into the water In this June 15, 2008, file photo, Tiger Woods holds on to his left
knee after teeing off on the second hole during the fourth round
tournaments this year. Tiger fans can only hope for at Honda, another tee shot of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Is the real Tiger finally back? — that this truly is a process OB at Bay Hill. Three greens Ten years ago, Woods won the tourney, his most recent victory
The answer to that question and the best may yet be missed from the short grass in a major, on an injured left leg.
may be that no one has an to come this week as an with a wedge in his hands Associated Press
answer to that question. Open as important for his on Sunday at the Players.
And that might include career as any since his win The old Tiger didn't make course where he finished finished within six shots of
Woods himself, who must in 2008 at Torrey Pines un- mistakes like that. The old 10-over and 14 shots be- the lead all year.
still have trouble reminding folds on Long Island. Tiger was so laser focused hind winner Retief Goosen Yes, Woods has tested his
himself he's only the No. 80 Woods himself gives away he could almost will the ball the last time the Open was game and it looks great for
player in the world. few clues to suggest what into the hole — and did on at Shinnecock in 2004. the most part. He's also test-
Everything looks good. Ev- might unfold at Shin- the 18th green at Torrey Massive crowds will fol- ed his ability to find a way
erything — including the necock. In his mind he's al- Pines to force a playoff in low him, and they will be to win, and that doesn't
massive crowds that follow ways just a few putts away 2008. as loud as they are sup- look great for the most part.
him everywhere — has the from a great round, or one And surely the old Tiger portive. No one moves the Could he contend, and
feel of the old Tiger. Some- great round away from wouldn't hit an iron off the needle in golf like Woods, even possibly win at Shin-
one who saw Woods prac- winning. 18th tee in Tampa when he even when it's been 10 necock Hills? Yes, but only if
ticing at Shinnecock last "I felt good on basically ev- needed birdie after closing years since he won a major he can somehow figure out
month described his ball ery facet of the game, and to within a shot of the lead and five years since he won what is holding him back.
striking as "mouthwatering," it's weird, not to really mishit in his final round. anything other than a put- Unfortunately for Woods, a
and Woods himself says a shot today and only shoot So now Woods looks for a ting contest in his backyard punishing U.S. Open may
he's hitting it as well as he 3-under par is just weird, breakthrough in a tourna- golf compound in Florida. not be the best place to
can remember. because I played much ment he has won three And, aside from his runner- find something that's been
Something, though, is miss- better than that," Woods times. He'll try for it on a golf up finish in Tampa, he hasn't missing for so long.q

PGA Tour Champions in Iowa washed out, Tom Lehman wins

By LUKE MEREDITH cipal Charity Classic after day to reach 13 under and
AP Sports Writer weather washed out the take a two-shot lead over
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — final round Sunday. Bernhard Langer, Glen
Tom Lehman was standing Tournament officials had Day, Woody Austin and
outside of a Des Moines- delayed the start of the Scott Parel.
area makeup shop wait- third round by nearly five "It's like a field-goal kicker
ing for his daughter/cad- hours because of bands of getting iced nine times
die when he got the call light but persistent rain be- but each one lasts 30 min-
to head back to Wakonda fore calling the event. utes," Lehman said. "There's
Club. With Lehman set to tee times when you play that
Lehman told Rachael off last, he and Chapman you know that the fore-
Chapman to pay her bill at went to a nearby mall to cast on Sunday is really
Sephora as quickly as pos- kill some time before the lousy and that it's really
sible — because dad had weather cleared out. But important that you try to
a trophy waiting for him at it never did — with officials In this Saturday, June 9, 2018, photo, Tom Lehman, left, greets get in Saturday night in the
the course. delaying it nine times be- Jerry Kelly after completing their second round of the PGA Tour lead if you can because
Lehman, the second- fore calling it. Champions Principal Charity Classic golf tournament in Des of the chance you might
round leader, took the The 59-year-old Lehman Moines, Iowa. Associated Press not play. I didn't see that
PGA Tour Champions' Prin- shot a 7-under 65 on Satur- coming."q