A Tiger Woods return visit to India on the cards soon?

By Rahul Banerji

Golfers and fans of the game in India could well see 14-time major winner and icon Tiger Woods prowling their backyard in the not too distant future.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the Hero World Challenge in Albany, all Tiger would says was “I will be back,” when asked if a second India visit was on his schedule.

My colleague in the Bahamas S. Krishnaswamy writes that Tiger’s next India trip after the one he made back in February of 2014 could be for an entire tournament either in 2020 or 2021, depending on his schedule.

With Woods renewing his relationship with Hero MotoCorp, the question is when he will come next to India.

The last time Tiger was in India for a short and packed 36 hours was at the invitation of Hero MotoCorp head honcho Pawan Munjal. It included a round of golf with the latter, a keen golfer and brought never seen before crowds to the Delhi Golf Club.

Shortly thereafter, Tiger signed on as Hero MotoCorp’s global corporate partner, and the company took over the title sponsorship of the $3.5 million World Challenge.

Frequent question

Munjal, who played Wednesday’s Pro-Am with Woods, said, “I have been asked when is Tiger coming to India many times in India and elsewhere. All I can say is that he is coming back for sure, but when is the question.”

That could well happen in conjunction with the Indian Open, also supported by Hero MotoCorp.

As for the relationship between the two, which has evolved and strengthened through the years, Woods said in the Bahamas,“We’re excited to have Hero with us for the next four years.

“They’ve been an incredible partner over the last four, and for us, this was our first international event. Partnering with a global company like Hero has been great for us and what we’re trying to do in our expansion of our foundation and our digital platforms for kids.

“The digital platform will help us serve millions of kids globally. That is not just domestically, but now internationally.”

Woods is building up

Meanwhile,at the Hero World Challenge this year, Tiger has 17 of the world’s best competing against him including Albany resident Justin Rose, reigning Masters champion,Patrick Reed, two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson and defending champion Rickie Fowler.

Ahead of the tournament, Tiger spoke on his remarkable comeback, sparked off at the 2017 World Challenge.

“I didn’t know if I would ever do this again, but then to get myself to a point where early on that I showed myself that I could win by finishing second in Tampa, then having the failures at Bay Hill and the Open and the PGA, I felt I was getting a little bit closer to it.

‘Not ready’

“I was not physically prepared to play that much golf at the end of the year. I had taken days off here or there, tournaments off, just trying to conserve energy and making sure my body is still good.

“I didn’t want to hurt anything. But I ended up playing seven out of nine to end the year. I got into Bridgestone on the number because of my finish at the Open Championship. So there was a week going into the British Open,

“I really wasn’t on the list yet. And then I enter it, play it, and then the playoffs start coming around. And it’s one those years, you guys have been out here long enough, it has never been this hot.

“I was exhausted by the time I got to the Ryder Cup. I was worn out mentally, physically, emotionally, but thank God the Ryder Cup started on Friday so I had an extra day to get the juices flowing again.

Needed break

“I don’t train anywhere near like I used to. I just physically can’t do it any more. I took a significant break after the Ryder Cup, got away from it for a bit.

“My training sessions have been good. I’ve been getting a little bit stronger. My core and my legs are definitely stronger than they have been, which is a positive. Now I get started working on my game and getting that organised heading into next year.”

Tiger played 18 events in 2018, the most since the he entered 21 in 2005.

Also read: Tiger sits mid-pack in field for 2018 Hero World Challenge