Golf ace Tiger still eyeing Grand Slam

Tiger Woods never dreamed he would win 14 major titles by the age of 33 but the golf superstar is confident he can begin a Grand Slam sweep at his first major tournament since an eight-month layoff.

Woods will resume his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 career major crowns on Thursday in the opening round of the 73rd Masters, seeking his 67th career title and fifth green jacket at Augusta National Golf Club.

"I would have never foreseen myself winning this many championships this soon but I'm not going to say it's a bad thing either," Woods said.

Woods limped his way to victory at last year's US Open before undergoing left knee surgery that kept him out until February. Two weeks ago, in only his third event back, Woods sank a dramatic 72nd-hole birdie to win at Bay Hill.

"The week at Bay Hill was great, to feel that rush and see how my body would react. After months of rehabilitation, it felt great to hit shots," Woods said.

"It's nice to have a little momentum going into the Masters. The win at Bay Hill validated all the hard work after my knee surgery."

Woods has regained the confidence to talk about matching the peak form of 2000 and 2001 that saw him win an unprecedented four majors in a row, the last of the "Tiger Slam" coming at Augusta in 2001.

"I know I can do it. I've done it. It's hard for me to sit here and say it can't be done," Woods said. "It's just a matter of winning the right four at the right time so hopefully it will start this week for me."

Woods has a rival who is already halfway to matching Woods' four in a row, with Irishman Padraig Harrington looking to extend a "Paddy Slam" this week after taking last year's British Open and PGA Championship in Woods' absence.

"It's not going to be easy," Woods said. "I remember trying to do it myself. It's hard to get your game to peak four straight times."

It's also difficult to reclaim top form after spending most of the past year working out in gymnasiums, lifting a bit more weight or regaining a bit more mobility each day before playing with his daughter Sam.

"My rush was trying to get in the gym every day and trying to get better than I was the day before," Woods said. "It was a challenge... There were a lot of low days but you have to fight through it.

"Having to do that and keep up with Sam was a challenge."

Woods said missing the past two majors has not increased his excitement at playing simply because his thrill was already tremendous.

"It feels the same. It feels like any major championship. The duration between them is just longer," Woods said.

Woods has not won a Masters since 2005 but was runner-up the past two years and third in 2006. He blamed inconsistent putting for the failures but found solid pain-free putting form at Bay Hill and should be at his best this week.

"The last couple years my putting has been streaky here," Woods said. "I get on rolls where I make everything and rolls where I didn't make anything. Consequently I didn't win. You have to be very consistent around this course."

"A year ago at this time, I was just hoping to get through the Masters," Woods said. "There's really no comparison. It's stable. This year, the knee feels strong and I can drive into my left leg."



AP/Ron Edmonds

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