KOHLER, Wis. – There was some good news for Tiger Woods Sunday at the PGA Championship.
First off, he was actually playing on Sunday.
Secondly, he will remain the world's number one player for at least another week.
Phil Mickelson’s final-round 67 at the PGA Championship and 6-under total wasn't enough for him to overtake Woods for the top spot. Woods managed to scratch out a 73 and finish 2-under for the week.
After his worst outing as a professional last weekend at the no-cut Bridgestone Invitational (he was 18-over), Woods had some encouraging signs this week, including his burgeoning relationship with Canadian coach Sean Foley, which seemed to yield some positive results.
"I asked him to take a look at my swing this week and give me some more ideas of what he sees," said Woods. "I like some of the things he had to say about my golf swing and where I needed to go. I like the direction because I was able to hit the shots that I used to be able to hit, feel-wise.
"Shape the shots, too, which was great, so when you get that kind of contact again, it's good."
So, where to from here?
It certainly sounds like there was enough progress this week for the two to continue the relationship. It's logical they'll work together for the next month or so and then decide if they both want to formalize some kind of arrangement.
"As far as working down the road, I'm sure I'm going to see him a little more. I still want to pick his brain a little more," said Woods. "I don't really have all of his whole concept yet, but I would like to get to know him a little bit more before I fully get into it."
In the background Sunday for Woods, of course, was his candidacy for the American Ryder Cup team. It was projected he would need to finish seventh to move up and grab one of the eight automatic berths. After starting in a tie for 31st, it looked like that might be a possibility when Woods started with birdies on his first two holes, sending a charge through the huge gallery that snaked among the dunes to follow him and fellow competitor Tim Clark.
Now it's inevitable that U.S. captain Corey Pavin will spend one of his four captain's picks on Woods.
Woods has made it clear he will play if Pavin picks him.
"I think I got a better chance of maybe helping out in singles. Save me (until) singles," he joked Sunday.
"No, I mean, I feel like my game was a lot better than it was obviously last week, and given a little time it's starting to head in the right direction now, which is good. And I'm looking forward to (the Ryder Cup). Hopefully Corey will pick me on the team.”
Woods last win in a major was the 2008 U.S. Open in that playoff over Rocco Mediate, so he has now gone 10 majors without a victory. That matches his longest stretch without a victory in a Grand Slam event since he turned pro (he missed the first two majors in this stretch because of his knee injury.) Two other times he has gone 10 majors without a win: from the '97 Masters to the '99 PGA and from the 2002 U.S. Open to the 2005 Masters.
If Woods doesn't win the Masters next spring, it will be his longest stretch without a victory in the majors since turning pro.
A lot will happen between now and then, both on and off the course, for Woods.
On the course, at least, he heads out of Whistling Straits apparently headed in the right direction.
chris.stevenson@sunmedia.ca
