Although Tiger Woods was an absentee on Tuesday at the US PGA Championship practice, he won the backing of Open champion, Darren Clarke, who believes the American can contend for the year’s final Major.
Woods, who played 18 holes in practice at the hosting Atlanta Athletic Club last Monday, is expected to be back at the par-70 course on Wednesday when he is scheduled to hold a news conference on the eve of the championship.
The former world number one, who has claimed four US PGA Championship titles, has struggled this year while battling injuries and trying to rebuild his golf swing and his private life following the break-up of his marriage.
He returned to the US PGA Tour, after three months on the sidelines with leg injuries, at last week’s WGC-Bridgestone Invitational where he tied for 37th after displaying erratic form.
However, Northern Irishman Clarke believes Woods showed enough form last week in Akron, Ohio to indicate he could be a genuine contender for the US PGA Championship on Sunday.
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