>
Padraig Harrington has claimed that Tiger Woods isn’t done winning majors yet, despite the icon’s injury woes.
Woods has only made three competitive appearances so far this year, all of them in majors after his spectacular return to the court 14 months after his horrific car accident.
As the golfing legend continues to struggle with the injuries he sustained in the accident, he recently hinted that he will only play golf’s most prestigious events next year.
Padraig Harrington (left) has claimed that Tiger Woods (right) is not done with winning majors
However, Harrington believes that might be all Woods needs to emerge victorious again, as he claimed the 15-time Grand Slam champion can win another one if he can make it to the back nine.
“If you’ve gotten into contention with nine holes to go, he’s going to be there,” Harrington said at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club ahead of this weekend’s PNC Championship, where Woods is competing with his son, Charlie. ‘The resilience is there. Everything about him. So he wouldn’t be questioning that part.
‘He is struggling to walk. Tiger, if you can take it to the back nine of a tournament, I don’t think you’ll have a problem.
The 15-time major winner made his sensational return, making the cut at the Masters in April.
‘And he looked good physically. She looked better in that match. I’m not saying “could be”, actually I think it will be a hazard. I think he will win another major. I really think he will be in contention. I’m sure you want every tournament you can play, if it’s like a big one, you’ll have a chance.”
“You would never throw Tiger out,” Harrington said, citing the two hours he watched Woods play in a made-for-television 10-hole exhibition last weekend. But I actually think he might be…in a better place than he’d thought.
“There are two things that make a golfer: how talented they are and how resilient they are,” Harrington added Thursday after storms wiped out the PNC professional championship.
The Irishman kisses the Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship in 2007
‘Usually you become very talented, not very resilient; or you become very resistant and not very talented. Tiger, throughout his entire career, has had both, which is very unusual.
So I would never doubt.
What inspired him watching 10 holes in the match last week was the speed Woods displayed in his swing, which he thought was enough power to keep up with the current generation and at least get him to the back nine.
‘The little bit of extra speed will help him because over the first 63 holes… you know, who would want to be down the stretch against Tiger?’ Harrington said. ‘You know he’s capable of doing anything at that stage. I think he’s in a better position to get into the back nine.’
Harrington’s beliefs differed wildly from Colin Montgomerie’s, with the Scotsman claiming that Woods should have retired at The Open in July.
Colin Montgomerie claimed the legend should have left him at The Open in July
Woods’ old rival claimed his stint at 18th at St Andrews was the perfect moment for the 15-time Grand Slam champion to end his glittering career.
“That was the moment,” Montgomerie told the golf website. bunkered. ‘Stand on that bridge, start waving, and everyone will say, ‘So, is that all?’ Yes it is. It would have been a glorious way to do it.
“The stands were full, TV cameras from all over the world, from all continents, were on him, he was walking alone, he had tears in his eyes, obviously, you can’t beat that walk.
Woods raised his cap in recognition of the fans in an emotional scene on the 18th.
I have done it myself. When the stands are packed, you can’t beat that ride. …I’ll tell you what, that’s a special, special arena. it’s a theater. That was the moment for Tiger to say, ‘Okay, I’m retiring.’
‘Why continue? Come out the top,’ added Montgomerie. It is something that very few can do.
Woods was involved in a car accident in February 2021, which left him with serious injuries to his right leg and doctors thought he might have to amputate it, according to Woods.
He made the cut at both the Masters and the PGA Championship, but was forced to withdraw from the latter after the third round while struggling with injuries.
Woods missed the cut by nine shots at The Open, but his walk down the infamous 18th fairway was still an iconic scene.
He was in a car accident in February 2021, which left him with serious leg injuries.
At the end of his second round, although he did not stop at the famous Swilcan Bridge, he did raise his cap in recognition of the fans and their standing ovation.
Woods was also scheduled to play in the Hero World Challenge, an event he hosted in the Bahamas earlier in the month, but withdrew the previous Monday, citing plantar fasciitis.
He is also set to take part in the PNC Championship this weekend with his 13-year-old son Charlie making his third appearance at the event.