Tiger Woods CAN win another major after PGA Championship heroics, claims Sir Nick Faldo
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Loading... - Frank Hayes
- 14 Aug 2021
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Sir Nick Faldo insisted Tiger Woods will win another Major after the American’s thrilling run at the US PGA.
The former world No.1 shot a closing 64 – his lowest ever final round in a Major – to finish second behind Brooks Koepka.
Wearing red on the final day as he nailed eight birdies in front of a raucous crowd, it was just like the old days. US TV ratings were up 69% on last year with Tiger in the hunt. And Faldo said the 42-year-old will add his 15th Major title after four back surgeries and 10 years since his last triumph at the 2008 US Open.
“I didn’t think he had a hope in hell of winning another Major,” admitted the triple Open champion. “And now you have to say he does.
“You have to take off your hat and applaud his efforts. If he just learns from a few things and makes a couple of adjustments.
“His determination to get back and all his efforts is incredible. That putt at 18 told him all he needs to know. He now knows that he can win again. This is the greatest comeback in golf. If he wins again, it would be the greatest comeback in sport.”
Woods recorded his first top-five Major finish since the 2013 Masters despite being ranked tied 74th for fairways hit (32/56) – and being three-over par after two holes on Thursday. His four-round total of 266 was three shots better than his previous best at the 2000 Open at St Andrews.
The next three Majors are at Augusta, Bethpage Black for the first May US PGA and Pebble Beach – venues where he has won before.
But Koepka has now claimed three of the last six Majors he has played in – a record comparable to Woods in his pomp.
The back-to-back US Open champion now has the same number of Majors as Jordan Spieth and just one fewer than Rory McIlroy. But the 28-year-old from Florida carries a chip on both his chiseled shoulders for a perceived lack of respect and recognition.
After his third round, the Adonis-like body builder told how he went to a local public gym this week with his friend Dustin Johnson and no-one knew him.
“I use it as motivation,” said the new world No.2. “You can’t hide my name when you’re on the top of the leaderboard.”
He is a flat-lining winning machine – not a quotes machine – with his girlfriend Jena Sims the most interesting thing about him. But he has no nerves. “I honestly can’t remember the last time I was rattled or intimidated,” he said.
His short-game coach Pete Cowen said: “He is just a very laidback guy. I know he’s world No 2 but in my view if you’ve won two majors in a season and only played in three, then you’re the man.”
