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Journalism of Courage
Still basking in his British Open triumph, world No.1 Tiger Woods returns to action this week at the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan, with one eye on the U.S. PGA Championship and a possible hat-trick of Majors.
Making his first start since his five-shot victory at St Andrews two weeks ago, the $4.6 million Buick Open at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club will be the American’s only tune-up ahead of the season’s final Major at Baltusrol next month.
One tournament, however, should be more than enough preparation for a red-hot Woods, who has two victories two runner-up finishes and a third place in his last seven events.
If his form is not enough to install Woods as hot favourite, then his record at Warwick Hills, where he has finished outside the top-10 only once in six starts, should see few bets against him adding a second Buick title to the one he claimed in 2002.
Big-hitters such as Woods and John Daly have feasted on the tight, tree-lined layout, particularly an inviting closing stretch that includes two-par fives and two drivable par-fours in the final seven holes.
However, driving accuracy and a solid short game will also be vital, with some of the largest greens of any course on PGA Tour providing a welcoming target.
Woods actually stepped back onto the course on Monday, teaming up with John Daly to take on Retief Goosen and Phil Mickelson in a made-for-television event “Battle at The Bridges” in California.
