The Hero World Challenge was supposed to give the world a glimpse into the progress of Tiger Woods’ physical state and the questionable state of his golf game.
It did not.
As it turned out, Woods spent most of last week practicing his golf cart driving skills after plantar fasciitis in his right heel scratched him from the tournament lineup.
Woods will, however, tee it up this coming Saturday evening in the latest installment of “The Match” — a creation of Turner Sports that will be broadcast on TBS.
Woods is teaming up with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and the pair will take on Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth under the lights at the plush Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
On Sunday at the Hero, Woods spent a lot of time driving his golf cart on the back nine at Albany and watching his pal J.T. Thomas responded with five birdies over the final eight holes for a closing 70. He finished solo fifth at 10-under par.
As for Spieth, he got off to a rough start last Thursday with a four-over par 76 but bounced back with rounds of 72-72-69 and finished 15th at one-over. Spieth had played little to no golf coming into the Hero.
As for McIlroy, he was taking it easy back home in Jupiter, perhaps getting in some casual practice at the Bear’s Club.
After Saturday’s contest, Woods will play in Orlando next weekend at the PNC Championship with 13-year-old son Charlie, who was on hand with his dad in the Bahamas last week.
NBC Chooses Replacements For Koch And Maltbie:
NBC made the decision to go younger with part of its golf broadcast team and chose not to renew the contracts of lead analyst Gary Koch and man-on-the-ground Roger Maltbie.
Brad Faxon will be moving into Koch’s spot for the new season and (former) Tour player Smylie Kaufman is apparently calling it quits on the course and will step into Maltbie’s “foot-soldier” role for the broadcasts.
Justin Leonard was a prime candidate to land the analyst job but he’s chosen to play the Champions Tour full-time in 2023.
