Tiger Woods is making just his second start since the restart this week at the 2020 PGA Championship after a slightly unspectacular showing at The Memorial. But Tiger won’t be losing sleep over it. Everything Tiger does, at this point in his career, is designed around winning majors, and by all accounts he’s been taking his preparation or this one very seriously.
Tiger has reportedly been on the grounds at TPC Harding Park early and often. He played another practice round on Monday, two things about his practice round caught my eye — largely because they’re easy enough to do yourself, whether you’re warming up for a major or just looking to improve in a hurry.
1. 1 spot, 2 chips
This is something that I’ve observed Tiger Woods doing during his pre-round warmups, so it makes sense he’d do it during his practice rounds, too. He takes a handful of golf balls — two or three usually — drops them in the same spot, and hits different shots for each with the same club. The first will be a high flop, and the second a low runner.
It’s a simple exercise, but one that gives him a better understanding of how the greens respond to different types off shots.
2. One-handed lag putts
Another go-to drill of Tiger’s that doubles as a favorite for numerous good putters on Tour is to simply hit putts one-handed. It promotes a more free-swinging putting stroke that allows the hands to stay soft, and the putterhead to release more fully.
Interesting process on the greens today. Joe LaCava addressed each putt, gave Tiger his read. Tiger consulting the green book on each as well as having instructor @killengolf watching. Oh and some one-handed practice too. @tigerwoods seems serious about this @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/VmSQi8XTEe
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) August 4, 2020
