q&a
gateway
VARTAN KUPELIAN
DUBLIN, OHIO | They are bosom bud-
dies. In today’s world, that means they
exchange text messages and their mobile
phone numbers are on speed dial. Fast,
efficient.
Steve Stricker (right) and Tiger Woods have become
close friends in recent years.
on and off the golf course. No lip service
necessary.
“I think the more he gets to play, the
more he’ll work at it at home and out
here, and he’ll start seeing results,”
Stricker said. “We all know what he can do
when his confidence level is high.”
There’s the rub. How the mind reacts
in golf is an entirely different issue, one
that might be the biggest obstacle of all
for Woods. Golf is not a game played easily
or well with the brain engaged in other
matters.
“Life is moving forward,” Woods said.
“The last six months have been pretty
tough. I’m now starting to get into golf and
starting to play golf again, which is some-
thing I haven’t done in a long time.”
It can’t possibly hurt to play it along-
side Stricker, a man in control of his
emotions and his game. And if Woods ever
decides to seek out Stricker for advice, he
knows where to find him. In the fairway. l
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