Tiger Woods says he has fixed Masters swing woes

Tiger Woods. AFP

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Tiger Woods said he has solved the swing problems that led to his worst professional Masters finish in a video posted on his website Monday in which he answered questions from fans.

Woods accepted questions on his Twitter and Facebook pages, and answered a select few in a 14-minute video, with one of his responses touching upon the troubles off the tee that doomed his bid at Augusta National three weeks ago.

Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the all-time record of 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, said he and swing coach Sean Foley have solved his problem entering his start this week at Quail Hollow.

“At the Masters, I was kind of struggling with my ball-striking a little bit,” Woods said. “Sean and I fixed it. It had to do with posture. My setup wasn’t quite right as well as my takeaway. I just needed to do hundreds of reps. I’m getting dialed in.”

Woods, who has not won a major since the 2008 US Open, finished on five-over par 293 to share 40th place at the Masters — his worst pro finish and 72-hole pro score at Augusta National, where he has won four times.

The 36-year-old American said he has changed his swing over the years to ease the strain on his left knee, which has been surgically repaired four times.

“Let’s just end it at four and have a nice, healthy happy life,” Woods said.

Woods, who said he did not touch a club for a week after the Masters, had not won since the eruption of his infamous sex scandal until he captured the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in March to end a 17-month win drought.

Woods, whose 72 US PGA titles are 10 shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record, said his favorite major trophy is the Claret Jug from the British Open because of “the history and what it represents.”

Woods said the best putt he has ever made on tour was his par putt from just inside four feet on the 72nd hole at the 1997 Masters to win his first major title, which he won by a record 12 shots with a record score of 18-under 270.

“To set the record, all the history it meant at the time, to have my dad there at the back of the green, by far it was the biggest,” Woods said.

Woods said he feels he has a chance to win at Quail Hollow and later in May at The Players Championship, noting he has won at both host courses.

“I feel like if I do the things that we have been working on, and get my posture and takeaway dialed in, then yes, I feel like I have a good chance,” Woods said.

“You have got to hit the ball really well there at those two tournaments to give yourself a chance and make a few putts at the same time. I’m looking forward to that.”