Tiger swings hard during the third round
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It was a strange day for Woods. He started playing the magnificent
controlled golf he has done for the first two days. looked to be
protecting a lead playing for the centre of most greens
and trying to avoid making mistakes. He was executing this perfectly for the
front nine but others were making some birdies and getting closer.
From being very comfortable, Tiger hit a number of ragged shots but used his
incredible short game to recover and finally hit two great shots to the 18th and missed the chance to extend his lead to three shots with a putt from eight feet.
So what can club golfers learn from watching yesterday's story unfold?
For me, Vijay Singh, Tiger's playing partner, was they key. The big Fijian is probably 'the softest golfer in the world.' I don't mean that in a derogatory way but when he's swinging
well he hits it longer, straighter and closer to the hole than anyone else
in world golf - including Tiger.
It's obvious that there is no tension in his hands because he rests the club on the ground in his address routine and doesn't move it until the swing starts. I'm sure you - and almost every other Tour player - has some sort of pre-shot waggle of the club in an attempt to release the tension before executing the shot.
But Singh's freedom from tension allows him to hit shots on line and the right distance time after time. Only Colin Montgomerie can I recall having a similar technique - and he won eigfht order of merits on the European Tour! And it's no coincidence that both players have exceptional rhythm because of the soft, tension-free feel in their hands and their swing and both have had long and consistent careers.
