Woods hoping for continued success at Torrey Pines  PGATOUR.com Contributor SAN DIEGO -- The debut to his season is at the same venue, but the circumstances are far more enjoyable both on and off the golf course for the game's No. 1 player. Tiger Woods returns to the PGA TOUR this week, trying to win his seventh straight TOUR event as he defends his title at the Buick Invitational, which begins Thursday at Torrey Pines. It is the same site he began his 2006 season, though he did so with a heavy heart and golf was definitely second on his mind. This year, Woods appears more relaxed and the smile is brighter than it has been.  Tiger Woods is more than comfortable starting the season at Torrey Pines. (Reuters/WireImage)
In December, Woods announced that he and his wife, Elin, are expecting their first child. The due date is mid-July. "You know it's an amazing thing to hear news like that and then to obviously go through the process of it," Woods said. "It's been eye opening because you only hear about it and you only -- some of my best friends have gone through it -- and to be part of it yourself and just to watch the whole process unfold, you look so much forward to the future." It is far better news than Woods had the prior year. Last January Woods was dealing with the impending death of his father, Earl Woods, the man who shaped him into who he is both in golf and life. Woods was tight lipped about his father's health when he came to San Diego, but it obviously affected him deeply. "Last year I was not looking forward to the year that was going to transpire," Woods said. "Two totally different mindsets, one is just praying and hoping and the other is just pure excitement and enjoyment, so it's two totally different opposite ends." While the memory of his father is constantly with him, other events in Woods' life are taking away some of the pain. He recently went with his wife to the doctor for her first ultrasound. "It was pretty cool," Woods said. "There's one photo I'm trying to put in my office. I know it's my kid because it looked like he was telling me he was No. 1 in my heart. It was a cool photo so I've got to have that one in my office." The elation is palpable with Woods. He chatters about the child and the enthusiasm he shows is uncharacteristic. "Yeah, life is going to change," Woods said. "Our priorities change. You are bringing a new life into the world and it's 100 percent dependent on you for survival." One scenario for the baby's birth would be during the week of the British Open, where Woods is defending champion, but his answer on whether he would miss the birth was quick and left no doubt. "If it crosses over, it crosses over," Woods said. "If shes' going to have it during the week of the the Open, I just don't go. That's the most important thing, not a golf tournament." For the meantime, however, Woods is preparing his title defense and is trying to win his seventh consecutive PGA TOUR event. "The last few tournaments I've played well," Woods said. "I'm looking forward to this year and get off to a good start." Woods couldn't have picked a better place than Torrey Pines to start his season. Woods has won this event four times, including the last two years. "This is one of my favorite golf courses on the whole TOUR," Woods said. "So to come back here and play, I've got six in a row on our TOUR, I guess that's exciting because I've played all around the world." Woods' offseason was spent celebrating the news and skiing in Colorado, but he did have time to find some time to work with his coach, Hank Haney. "I started practicing a few weeks ago and started getting ready," Woods said. "I've been very pleased with the progress I've been making with Hank and some of the things that we were working on towards the end of last year." Woods is hoping to continue the momentum he had at the end of the year and that shouldn't be too difficult. In nine appearances at the Buick Invitational, Woods' lowest finish is a tie for 10th and in addition to his four victories, he has finished in the top five four times. "I'm just really excited to get back in competition again," Woods said. "I kind of missed it, missed teeing up and competing against the boys and obviously I'm a little behind on FedExCup points, so hopefully I can get on the board this week." |
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