Tiger Woods says the arduous journey to play St. Andrews was worth it

For years, Tiger Woods has answered questions regarding the state of his health as if it were a state secret. When an interviewer at the JP McManus Pro-Am asked him how his body is doing, Woods smiled and said, “Still attached.”

Woods dusted off the rust on his game by shooting 2-over 74 at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland. That came a day after posting 5-over 77, which included one vintage moment for the highlight reel, a chip-in for eagle at 13.

Woods complained of jet lag but said he’s getting the right mix of rest and practice ahead of the season’s final major. It was immaterial that he finished two rounds in 17 more strokes than winner Xander Schauffele. All that mattered was he suffered no further injury.

Above all, it was good to see Woods swinging the clubs again, even if it was a hit-n-giggle exhibition where he had the use of a golf cart to limit the wear and tear on his back as he looks forward to the 150^th British Open, which begins July 14 at St. Andrews in Scotland. The last time Woods played, at the PGA Championship in May, he limped home with a 79 in the third round and later that day withdrew from the tournament. Woods skipped the U.S. Open in June to give his body more time to heal.

“The plan was to play the U.S. Open, but physically I was not able to do that,” he said. “No way physically I could have done that. I had some issues physically with my leg and it would have put (the British Open) in jeopardy. There’s no reason to do that.”

He continued: “This is a pretty historical Open we are going to be playing. I’m lucky enough to be part of the past champions who have won there and want to play there again. I don’t know when they are ever going to go back while I’m still able to play at a high level. And I want to be able to give it at least one more run at a high level.”

Woods is twice a champion at the Old Course, having done so in 2000 and 2005. He kept possession of the winner’s Claret Jug for another year, by winning the title in 2006 at Royal Liverpool.

Woods noted that his legs are stronger now than they were at the PGA.

“That’s for sure,” Woods said. “I’ve been able to put in a lot more reps which is great. I still prefer riding in a cart. I’m doing that here only because I don’t need to push it right now. I’ve got a long week ahead of me and all of next week to do that. Save the legs. We can still train as hard as we do each and every day. But as far as duration on my feet,…