Masters 2009 Tiger interview

People have thought for some years that Tiger might not be human. He has seemed for some years now to be able to ‘will’ the ball into the hole, when and where he wants.

If this is true, he was certainly not admitting as much. “I don’t have telekinesis,” (the direct influence of the mind on a physical system) he said, “but it sure would be nice. It would have been great on some of the shots I’ve hit into the water to will them back into play. But, that has never happened.”

Asked why he hasn’t won this tournament since 2005 (when he beat Chris DiMarco in a playoff) he said “It’s been because my putting has been streaky. Your putting has to be very consistent around here, especially now because there are not so many birdie opportunities.”

Few can remember a time when Tiger has entered a major championship playing less practise rounds during the week of the event. Even at last year’s US Open at Torrey Pines, he squeezed in 18 holes, despite his injured knee.

So far, he has played six holes, all of them yesterday; the 10th – the 14th and then he cut across to the 18th, which he played with Greg Norman.

“I haven’t really seen the point today,” he said, “because the course is going to be completely different on Thursday. I wanted to play yesterday, but a thunderstorm was coming in, and I thought I was better off working on my game in relative peace.”

And yet, he will still go off as the overwhelming favourite (2-1) when he tees off with Stewart Cink and Jeev Milkha Singh at 1.52 p.m. local time (6.52 p.m. UK time).

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