How dialled in was Tiger’s equipment at the Hero World Challenge?
By James Savage
All in all, it was a hugely successful return for Tiger Woods at the Hero World Challenge with rounds of 69, 68 and 75 and 68.
Despite his struggles on Saturday – where scoring was tough for the whole field – there appears to be no injury concerns which is a massive positive.
He finished in a tie for ninth beating world number one Dustin Johnson by EIGHT shots.
If completing four rounds without too much pain was considered a success beforehand, then this was a right royal triumph of a comeback.
So which clubs were working well for the 14-time major champion and which could do better?
Driver: TaylorMade 2016 M2, 9.5˚
Fairways hit R1: 7/13
Fairways hit R2: 9/13
Fairways hit R1: 7/13
Fairways hit R4: 11/13
Tiger smoked it off the tee on Sunday. Even in his pomp he was never that straight with the driver.
He was also a lot longer than anyone had expected – despite all the chat beforehand about him out-driving Dustin Johnson.
We said we wanted to see it before we believed it and now we have seen it.
He even made an eagle after driving the green on the par-4 7th – his first eagle on a par four since 2010.
Get in there! pic.twitter.com/9guvo02TCP
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 3, 2017
One of the biggest takeaways from the Bahamas: Tiger's driver is now a weapon, not a liability. Haven't said that in a while.
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) December 3, 2017
Playing with Justin Thomas in the final round, Tiger was regularly waiting to play his second shot. Exciting stuff.
Mark: 9/10
Fairway: TaylorMade 2017 M1 13.5˚
Score on par 5s R1: +1
Score on par 5s R2: -4
Score on par 5s R3: +2
Score on par 5s R2: -4
Much more like it in the final round where he took advantage of the par-5s with a birdie on each one. Attaboy Tiger.
Mark: 8/10
Irons: TaylorMade TP UDi 2-iron, TGR Prototype 3-PW
GIR R1: 11/18
GIR R2: 13/18
GIR R3: 9/18
GIR R4: 13/18
In his final round we saw Tiger having complete control over his iron shots. He was working the ball nicely, seeing shots and executing them.
His long iron play at times was superb – which showed the confidence levels are high.
Mark: 7/10
This is definitely an area he can improve on over the course of the season.
Hit a few ropey chips during the week which we’ll put down to rustiness.
Proved the magic is still there but not exactly reliable at this stage.
Mark: 6/10
Putter: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport 2
Putts R1: 27
Putts R2: 27
Putts R3: 28
Putts R4: 28
Has looked pretty solid on the greens and the stats make for decent reading. A few dodgy lag putts but generally seemed to hole-out well.
A little sloppy at times during his final round but if he can hit a few more fairways and greens, you’ll never expect the putter to let him down.
Mark: 8/10
Golf ball: Bridgestone Tour B XS
I think the distance Tiger has been hitting it off the tee means this golf ball is certainly doing what he wants it to do.
Don’t think we’ll be seeing a switch anytime soon.
Mark: 8/10
Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M2 driver v TaylorMade 2016 M2 driver
Equipment: TaylorMade 2017 M2 driver review – First hit
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
