CBS analyst, six-time major winner and the recently knighted Nick Faldo talked with The Post’s Justin Terranova about Tiger Woods’ chances of winning his first major of the year at the PGA Championship this week at Hazeltine.
Q: What has gone wrong for Tiger Woods in the majors so far this season?
A: The way he set it up with winning all four tournaments before the majors is good, but he has not quite been able to pull it off. Sometimes it is caused by his swing, sometimes it is the weather. I think it is pretty impressive to get yourself ready physically, technically, emotionally, and timing it that well to be prepared for a major. He just about does it every single time. The other guys definitely want to stop him, but this one looks like the only person who can beat Tiger Woods is Tiger Woods.
Q: Do you think Woods feels pressure to win PGA Championship, since it is the last major of the season?
A: I heard through the grapevine that was the case at Turnberry (site of the British Open), that he had put a bit too much pressure on himself. So I should think that he learned from that and he has been playing so well in preparation for this tournament. This time, he just seems more relaxed, it just looks like he is having more fun on the golf course with (caddie) Steve (Williams) and what have you. And he’s obviously worked on some things since Turnberry with all the success he’s had.
Q: Woods is still four majors shy of Jack Nicklaus’ record. Do you have any doubts he will pass him?
A: Once he wins one major, he will be so close at 15 with just three to go. And he’s only 33 with tons of time. It’s not like he’s 41, he still has 10 more years out there easily.
Q: With so many things going on in Phil Mickelson’s personal life, do you expect him to contend this week?
A: We have heard that the treatment is going well for (his wife) Amy and his mother, so that is comforting to hear. And you assume Amy has given him her blessing to go play some golf. He has done some good stuff on the course, but [he’s been] a little erratic with the driver. Hopefully, he will have that in his mind this week and keep it in play.
Q: Besides Woods, who do you see making a run at Hazeltine?
A: Retief Goosen has been quietly playing well again and he already has a couple of majors. A few guys from Europe like Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Padraig Harrington. Anyone who has been playing well the last month or so certainly has to be looked at to be back in the hunt. Adam Scott had been playing real poorly, but played a couple of good rounds recently. So, maybe he has found something. And with the guys under the radar, they have the advantage of not having to deal with . . . the press and can just concentrate on golf.
