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Tiger wishes game were 'sharper,' remains optimistic at Valhalla

Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The course is significantly longer and his physique is incredibly different, but the sight of Tiger Woods at Valhalla still evokes memories of his incredible PGA Championship victory in 2000.

Woods walked in putts in dramatic fashion to prevail in a playoff over Bob May and claim his third major championship of that season.

Present-day Woods barely resembles the youthful basher who stalked the fairways in Kentucky 24 years ago, with major doubts concerning his ability to play four rounds.

That was the top question at the 15-time major winner's press conference Tuesday - his first appearance since a 60th-place finish at the Masters last month.

"My body's okay, it is what it is. I wish my game was a little bit sharper," Woods said. "I don't have a lot of competitive reps, so I have to rely on my practice sessions and getting stuff done either at home or here on-site. End of the day, I need to be ready mentally and physically come Thursday."

Woods dealt with injury the last time the PGA Championship was played in Valhalla in 2014. He made just three birdies over 36 holes and missed the cut by five strokes. He said Tuesday his condition is "not different" to that occasion 10 years ago.

"At that time, I was maybe one back procedure into it. Now it's a helluva lot more than that number," Woods said. "Back is now fused, as you know. Coming in to '14, I wasn't feeling very good. I'm always going to feel soreness and stiffness in my back, but that's okay. I just need other body parts to start feeling better."

Woods has said numerous times that his goal is to play in the majors and one or two other events each year. However, this week's PGA Championship is just his third non-Masters major since the start of the 2022 campaign.

Despite his run of challenging results, Woods still flashed his trademark confidence when asked about his chances.

"I still feel that I can win golf tournaments," he said. "I still feel I can hit the shots. I still feel like I have my hands around the green and I can putt. I just need to do it for all four days, not like I did at Augusta for only two."

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