WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (USA): A short ride to Sam Snead’s playground is what Tiger Woods considers a good way to get ready for the British Open.
Tiger Woods travelled 400 kilometres for his debut in The Greenbrier Classic on Thursday, a week after his two-shot win at the AT&T National in Bethesda.
The quick trip to the Old White TPC Course, along with memories of the late Snead’s stories about his 47-year association with the historic Greenbrier resort, helped make Woods’ decision to compete in the 3-year-old tournament easy.
”This tournament since its inception has been absolutely incredible,” Woods said.
The place might grow on Woods, too, if he can win his fourth title this year and move within seven of Snead’s record 82 PGA Tour wins.
Despite their age difference, Woods and Snead struck up a friendship at Greenbrier, which was born at a golf outing near Los Angeles when Woods was 5. Snead played with a new group every two holes and Woods was in the final one, making a pair of bogeys to Snead’s two pars.
”I still have the card at home,” Woods said.
Snead died in 2012, leaving behind a clubhouse filled with his trophies, photos and other treasures.
Once a gathering place for royalty and presidents, the resort is advertised to players as a family friend atmosphere with everything they’d need on site – a 721-room hotel, a spa, restaurants and dozens of other amenities.
”I think what sold it to me was watching it on TV and then seeing how much the players really enjoyed it,” Woods said. ”I wanted to play in it last year because it fit in my schedule, but I was hurt.
“That was disappointing, but this year again it worked out perfectly,” he said. (AP)