HOYLAKE, England, July 18 (Reuters) Twice champion Tiger Woods believes he is back in the competitive flow for this week's British Open, despite playing just two tournaments since the death of his father Earl on May 3.
The world number one missed his first cut as a professional in a major at last month's US Open but lifted his form at the Western Open two weeks ago where he tied for second.
''I feel like I'm back into playing again after taking such a long time off prior to the US Open,'' Woods told a news conference today as he prepared for his title defence at Hoylake's Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
''I took a lot of time off before the US Open and I wasn't hitting the ball as well as I wanted to in competition.
''Plus it's the hardest US Open venue we've ever played and that made it really difficult,'' he added, referring to Winged Foot Golf Club in New York.
''But I fixed those mistakes prior to the Western Open and I got back into the competitive flow again.'' Woods, who coasted to his second British Open title by five strokes at St Andrews last year, relishes playing links course golf.
However, he expects a tough task on a Hoylake layout running fast and firm after several weeks of baking sunshine in north-west England.
''It's going to be a fantastic challenge this week to play a golf course this fast,'' the 10-times major champion said.
SHOT-MAKING CREATIVITY ''We don't get a chance to do this very often but when we do it sure brings back shot-making and creativity in the game.
''Playing an Open championship you always have to hit different shots. And you have to be able to control your golf ball in the air, you have to control your spin.
''But if the wind doesn't blow, you can make some birdies out here. The par-fives are reachable and there are some short par fours. You can get the ball in pretty close.'' Asked whether he had come to terms with the death of his father, Woods replied: ''There's not a day that I don't think I'll ever go through life without thinking about my Dad.
''I love him dearly. The bond that we've had, you know, I think it transcended just a normal parent-child relationship.
''That's probably why I will think about him more and especially when I'm out here playing and practising because all the fundamentals that I learned were from him.'' Earl had battled prostate cancer since 1998.
Tiger, who was introduced to golf as a young child by Earl, has often attributed his mental toughness in tournaments to his former Green Beret father.
The 135th British Open starts on Thursday.
REUTERS DH PM1754
The world number one missed his first cut as a professional in a major at last month's US Open but lifted his form at the Western Open two weeks ago where he tied for second.
''I feel like I'm back into playing again after taking such a long time off prior to the US Open,'' Woods told a news conference today as he prepared for his title defence at Hoylake's Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
''I took a lot of time off before the US Open and I wasn't hitting the ball as well as I wanted to in competition.
''Plus it's the hardest US Open venue we've ever played and that made it really difficult,'' he added, referring to Winged Foot Golf Club in New York.
''But I fixed those mistakes prior to the Western Open and I got back into the competitive flow again.'' Woods, who coasted to his second British Open title by five strokes at St Andrews last year, relishes playing links course golf.
However, he expects a tough task on a Hoylake layout running fast and firm after several weeks of baking sunshine in north-west England.
''It's going to be a fantastic challenge this week to play a golf course this fast,'' the 10-times major champion said.
SHOT-MAKING CREATIVITY ''We don't get a chance to do this very often but when we do it sure brings back shot-making and creativity in the game.
''Playing an Open championship you always have to hit different shots. And you have to be able to control your golf ball in the air, you have to control your spin.
''But if the wind doesn't blow, you can make some birdies out here. The par-fives are reachable and there are some short par fours. You can get the ball in pretty close.'' Asked whether he had come to terms with the death of his father, Woods replied: ''There's not a day that I don't think I'll ever go through life without thinking about my Dad.
''I love him dearly. The bond that we've had, you know, I think it transcended just a normal parent-child relationship.
''That's probably why I will think about him more and especially when I'm out here playing and practising because all the fundamentals that I learned were from him.'' Earl had battled prostate cancer since 1998.
Tiger, who was introduced to golf as a young child by Earl, has often attributed his mental toughness in tournaments to his former Green Beret father.
The 135th British Open starts on Thursday.
REUTERS DH PM1754
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