Tiger Woods “won’t be let off” by Augusta if he’s not conquered his short game troubles but his presence at the Masters is perfect for Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, believes Paul Lawrie.
The 1999 Open champion has played seven times in the Masters, and while he’s happy to see the four-time champion Woods playing, he’s apprehensive about the former World No 1’s prospects when he tees it up tomorrow in competition.
“I don’t watch a lot of golf on TV but my boys watch it all, and I happened to walk into the room during one of Tiger’s last tournaments to see him bumping a five-wood up a bank,” recalled Lawrie, speaking at Dunbar where his son Michael was competing at the Scottish Boys.
“I’ve never seen that in my lifetime. He’s obviously struggling with it big time. This is a big test for him; even if his short game is a lot better it’s still going to be a big effort to get round.”
Lawrie thought that there were good signs in Woods’ long game in his events before he took his sabbatical, but questions the wisdom of coming back this week.
“It’s nice to see Tiger playing, but it’s a huge event to come back to; imagine coming back to the Masters. You don’t want to be playing there if you’ve got trouble with your short game, it’s not going to let you off, is it?
“It’s amazing, he’s just one of the best of all time, such a brilliant feel and touch he’s so good technically. If he’s got the chipping yips that’s a huge issue, I’m not saying he has but other people are.
“Obviously he’s a much better player than I’ll ever be, but the first week he came back I thought his swing looked as good as it was years ago.
“When he swings slower it just looks great, like he was when he was with Butch (Harmon). But the next week he was just back to thrashing it. Sometimes when you’re out there you can’t see what you are doing yourself.”
His very presence will take the heat off McIlroy and Spieth, Lawrie’s choices to win this week.
“It’s the best thing for them, Tiger’s going to soak up all the attention,” he said. “I think Jordan Spieth is going to be a superstar, he’s week-in, week-out.
“He’s a lot more of a rival to Rory than Rickie Fowler is, to me. He had a great Ryder Cup as well, and he’s my tip.”
Lawrie hopes that Amateur champion Bradley Neil uses the week to learn from his practice rounds.
“I played a practice round with Bradley at the Open at Hoylake last year,” he continued. “I don’t know him that well, but I was hugely impressed by him.
“To win the Amateur at that age is a hell of an achievement. It’s hugely important that he uses his practice rounds well this week and picks the right brains. I saw he was playing with Rory and maybe Justin Rose too.
“This is the week he should learn from these boys, see what happens and just enjoy it.”
He has texted his friend Stephen Gallacher with a good luck message, and feels the Scot can do well.
“Augusta should suit Stephen, he turns it over slight right to left shape, hits it long, a good touch, and good short game, and his putting is so much better than it was,” he added.