ORLANDO, Fla. – The birdie putt to win at Bay Hill was vintage Tiger Woods.
Not so typical was the reaction.
He backpedaled as the ball rolled toward the hole, and when he saw it fall, Woods turned and slammed his cap to the ground. It gave him a one-shot victory over Bart Bryant, his fifth victory in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“I saw the highlights that night, and I didn’t know I went that crazy,” Woods said Wednesday. “But evidently, I did.”
Woods could use a few moments like that.
The Masters is three weeks away, and the status of Woods’ game remains somewhat of a mystery. He has played only six competitive rounds at two tournaments since reconstructive knee surgery after winning the U.S. Open last June.
Woods was reminded of how long he has been away when he arrived early Wednesday for his pro-am round. It was his first time playing a pro-am since Bay Hill last year. The Masters, U.S. Open and two World Golf Championships – the only tournaments he has played since last year – don’t have them.
He lost in the second round of the Accenture Match Play Championship, in Marana, and tied for ninth two weeks ago in the CA Championship at Doral.
“I think it’s taken less time to get my feel back for my game,” Woods said. “I thought it would take a little bit longer.”