A sharply focused Tiger Woods said Tuesday he’s looking forward to this week’s Masters Tournament as the critical key in winning the first modern-day Grand Slam.
The four-time Champion arrived at Augusta National Golf Club intent on winning the first leg of the calendar Grand Slam which consists of the Masters, U.S. and British Opens, and PGA Championship. He won four in a row in 2000-2001, but not in the same calendar year which is generally acknowledged as the Grand Slam.
“I’m the only one who has done it before, right, in the modern configuration?” Woods told a packed media room.
“I’ve done it and I just love winning. I love mixing it up with the guys. This major is so important to all of us. I don’t understand how you can like losing.”
While he is coming into the Tournament off a two-week rest but following a failure to win the World Golf Championship, Woods said he was eager to get started Thursday.
“You have to put whatever happened in the past behind you and be focused and ready for another week,” the four-time Masters Champion said. “That’s past history, no matter if it’s a win or loss.”
He begins first round play at 10:45 a.m. Thursday with U.S. Open Champion Angel Cabrera and Australian Stuart Appleby.
This is Woods’ 13th Masters. He has four wins (1997, 2001-2002 and 2005) and a tie for second in 2007.
He has won 13 major championships, second only to six-time Masters Champion Jack Nicklaus, and 64 PGA Tour titles, third most in history.
But Woods said the thing he is focused on at the ‘08 Masters is beginning the chase for all four majors in the same year, something no modern day player has accomplished.
Masters co-founder Bob Jones, then an amateur, won four majors in a single year (1930) when the Grand Slam consisted of the U.S. and British Opens, and Amateur Championships of those countries also.
“I’ve won plenty of tournaments, I’ve just got to win the right four at the right time,” he said.
Woods hasn’t won the Green Jacket since 2005 when he defeated Chris DiMarco in playoff. When he thinks back to the 2007 Masters, which he lost by two strokes, his mistakes haunt him.
“I didn’t finish my rounds last year,” said the Florida resident. “I made some mistakes and some bogeys on the last holes and you can’t do that. That’s the difference between winning and losing.”
In preparation, Woods played 18 holes Sunday and Monday and nine more on Tuesday.
He does not expect to participate in the Par 3 Contest Wednesday, but will spend his time practicing.
“I’m really looking forward to the week,” Woods said.
