Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Wednesday 4 april 2018

There’s new Woods at Augusta, with Mickelson along for ride

By DOUG FERGUSON generation, he now has know what it takes to be at He sought treatment, and you to know Benji and his
AP Golf Writer formed relationships with this elite level.” then perhaps the best friends are very happy
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The them. Padraig Harrington Regardless, he has come a therapy was being among in their new home.” And
power off the tee and the hardly recognized Woods long way in a short amount players as an assistant cap- that was their last practice
sharpness with his short round at a tournament —
game made him look like until Tuesday.
the Tiger Woods of old. The Woods and Mickelson were
smile on his face and the chatting off the 10th tee,
company he kept Tuesday and up to the 11th tee, and
at the Masters — a prac- throughout their nine holes
tice round with Phil Mickel- of practice. Mickelson
son — suggested someone tried a variety of flop shots
entirely different. around the 15th green with
Woods and Mickelson had his 64-degree wedge, and
not played together at Au- Woods laughed when Lefty
gusta National since 2009, holed one of the more dif-
and even then it wasn’t by ficult shots.
choice. They were paired Miserable a year ago,
in the final round, and while Woods was in a happy
neither won the green jack- place.
et, Lefty shot 67 and got And it caused quite a buzz,
him by one shot. not only among the thou-
This time they were part- sands who tagged along
ners, and it wasn’t a fair that made this a practice
fight against Fred Couples round unlike any other at
and Thomas Pieters. the Masters, but the other
Never mind that Mickelson players.
hit his opening tee shot at “I walked past Tiger on the
No. 10 behind a magnolia range and I said, ‘I never
tree. Unlike that failed four- thought I would see the
somes match they played Tiger Woods, left, and Phil Mickelson share a laugh on the 11th tee box while playing a practice day — Tiger and Phil play-
at Oakland Hills in the 2004 round for the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Tuesday, ing a practice round at Au-
Ryder Cup, Mickelson had April 3, 2018. gusta,’” Rory McIlroy said.
to play the next shot, too. Associated Press “So we had a bit of a laugh
The two loudest roars that about that. I think both Ti-
shattered the morning at Torrey Pines earlier this of time. tain at the Presidents Cup. ger and Phil have started
calm came from Woods year when he saw him walk Only last year, Woods said “I don’t know the reason- to take the team stuff a lot
making eagle on the two onto the range, exchange he had trouble just sitting ing, but I think your asser- more seriously as they have
par 5s at No. 13 and No. 15. a few high-fives and stop to through the dinner at the tion that he has a lot of progressed in their careers,
“I made a few birdies in chat. Masters Club of past cham- great relationship with a and they have obviously
there,” Mickelson said. “We Woods turned 42 at the pions because of pain lot of players, I think that’s become very close. ... And
had a five-hole stretch. We end of last year. He has from his lower back shoot- accurate,” Mickelson said. it’s great to see two of the
were 7 under. That was been away from golf for ing down his legs. That hurt “His relationships with the top stars of our game for a
some fun play.” much of the last few years about as much as being guys on the team are ex- long time.”
This was only a snapshot, because of his four back at Augusta National with- tremely close.” Still to be determined is how
and it received far more surgeries. The Masters will out his clubs for the second That includes Mickelson, of that translates to competi-
attention because of the be the first major he plays straight year, not knowing course. tion that counts. Mickelson
stage at Augusta National since the PGA Champion- when or even if he would The last practice round they already has won this year.
and the two leading char- ship in August 2015. return. played together, as best as Woods is getting close. And
acters. Woods and Mick- Perhaps, as Harrington sug- The low point came last Mickelson can recall, was those youngsters who look
elson have been longtime gested, he simply has mel- summer when he was ar- 20 years ago at the Nissan up to Woods are among
rivals, rarely friends and lowed. rested on a DUI charge in Open when it was played the best in the world.
hardly ever partners. “I think they just missed my Florida after police found at the TPC Valencia. Mick- “I really hope I’m playing
But it’s not just with Mickel- sharp needle,” Woods said. him asleep behind the elson tricked him into hit- my best golf,” Woods said.
son. “This is just like a fraternity. wheel, his car parked awk- ting the wrong club late in “This is a tournament where
Woods has become a When somebody gets hurt wardly on the side of the their match and took $500 experience does help a
mentor to Justin Thomas, and someone gets sick, we road with the engine still off him. lot. I’ve won here not play-
Jason Day and Rickie Fowl- bond. running. If that wasn’t enough, he ing my absolute best, but
er among other youngsters. We come and try to sup- Woods was found to have photocopied the five $100 there’s got to be a certain
Long respected by his peers port them as best we pos- a mix of prescription pills to bills, added smiley faces part of my game that’s
as the greatest player of his sibly can. Because we all help with pain and sleep. and wrote, “Just wanted on.”q