Three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington tees it up in this week’s PNC Championship where he and his son Paddy will get to compete up against arguably the greatest player to have ever played the game, Tiger Woods.
Many will think that Woods’ days at the top of the game are finished, but the Irishman believes the 15-time Major champion will win another one and get to number 16 after seeing how he looked at ‘The Match’ this past weekend.
“He’s struggling, the walk. You know, I’m like that. I’m on the Champions Tour, I get to go in a cart, which is great. Tiger, if you can get him to the last nine holes of a tournament, I don’t think you’re going to have a problem,” Harrington said.
“And he looked good physically. As I said, he looked better at that match. So, you know, I’m not saying he “could be,” I actually believe he will be a danger.
“I think he’ll win another Major. The way I looked at him, I genuinely think he will be in contention. And as I said, I’m sure he wishes every tournament he could play, if it’s like a Major, he’s going to have a chance.”
Woods made his first appearance since July at ‘The Match’ this past weekend
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Harrington has added significant distance to his game over the past few years and went on to win four times in his rookie season on the PGA Tour Champions this year including at the US Senior Open. The Irishman has been noticing Woods’ numbers – and in particular the mid-to-high 180 ball speeds with driver – and is intrigued to see the American up close this week at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando.
“Saw the numbers. Looking at the speed numbers. So I want to go and see it in person and see,” he said of Woods.
“Tiger, if he’s not in contention, I don’t know if he doesn’t lose interest, but when he got in contention in the Masters, everybody took note, as in the rest of the field took note. So Tiger knows if he can get himself into position, that he’ll raise his game and put a little bit of pressure and stress on the rest of the field.
“I think he needs a little bit of physicality as in that ball speed. It’s just tough if you go out there against these young guys, there’s so many of them that they’re hitting it and they’re overpowering golf courses.
“If you’re not somewhat able to keep up there, initially, I don’t think I would – you’re not doubting Tiger being good down the last nine holes, but the little bit of extra speed will help him because in the first 63 holes, that the last nine holes, you know, who would…
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