AKRON, Ohio — The world’s best golfers are in Akron this week for the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament, including seven-time winner Tiger Woods, who is trying to make history.
Tiger Woods comes to Firestone this year a much different golfer than he was a year ago.
“Well, I didn’t play most of the summer last year. I was off, this was my first tournament back,” said Woods. “I’ve had a little better year and overall just feel infinitely better than what I did physically last year.”
Woods has already won three-times on tour this year and is in search of victory number four this week at a course he has dominated over the years.
“I feel very comfortable where I am at because everything is progressing. This year I’ve taken the steps headed in the right direction and shot better scores and been more consistent,” said Woods.
Woods is looking to walk away with some history this week. He is trying to become the first player in PGA history to win eight times on the same course. A win this week would also put him back atop the World Golf Rankings.
“Well it would be nice to get back there because obviously it meant that as far as I had dropped, to build my way back up to this point, I’ve had some wins, I’ve had some very high finishes, I’ve been consistent,” Woods said.
To say Tiger Woods loves Firestone would be an understatement. He’s won here seven-times before, he calls this one of his favorite courses on the tour, and the one thing he likes about is the way it is laid out.
“It’s straightforward, it’s right in front of you. There is no tricks. There’s no hidden things. It’s just right there in front of you and this has been one of the more historic sites on the tour,” he said.
Tiger tees off at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday and will be paired with three-time winner Branden Grace.
“I’ve seen him play, I’ve seen him swing, but never have been paired with him. I know I am looking forward to it and hopefully he is as well.”
This week is a tune-up week for next week’s PGA Championship which will be held in South Carolina.
