The spotlight is on Tiger Woods. As another major quickly approaches, the prolific golfer jumps into the spotlight, many wondering when he will win another. After suffering an elbow injury Wood's game was quickly put into question, leaving many of his competitors unafraid of what he will bring.
Sir Nick Faldo is certainly not concerned about Tiger Woods.
"I think Tiger's woken up and realized this is a hard sport and he is a mere mortal after all. For so many tears he was so good, he was such an amazing athlete. When he went pro he went off like a rocket. But he's not in a good mental place. It was so easy for him before, he made it look so easy, when it is such a hard sport. But whatever he's been through, with all his personal problems, has made an impact on his mind-and so much of this sport is all in the mind. Nerve is the bottom line," Faldo said to London's Daily Mail.
In case anyone is counting, Tiger has won four times in eight tournaments in 2013. While he may not have won a major, he is winning. Faldo insists that he believes Woods wants to come back and prove he can do it again, leaving many golf fans wondering, "When did Tiger Woods leave?"
While Faldo might think little of Wood's playing abilities, the golfer himself is not concerned and believes he will be in contention at the upcoming British Open. While speaking to media at the AT&T National, a tournament the golfer hosts, Woods addressed questions about his lingering "left elbow strain" and his preparation for the major.
Woods is hoping that his elbow is fully healed by the time of The Open Championships, but promises it will be "good enough" to play on. The No. 1 golfer in the world first felt the injury at The Players Championship which he won. The injury then flared up during the U.S. Open at Merion. He has been treating the elbow with ice and anti-inflammatory medicines.
"There's a difference between being hurt and being injured. You can play hurt, but playing injured can sideline you for a while," Woods said.
Woods would only briefly respond to Faldo's comments about his mental state. The golfer just said, "I've won four times." He will certainly be tested at the next major, especially if his elbow is still giving him problems. No matter what players think of Wood's mental state, he will always be a candidate to win.
