Tiger Woods used a week off to strengthen his sore back and he says he’s ready to make a run at US PGA Tour playoff points leader Henrik Stenson.
Stenson roared past Woods to the top of the table by winning the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston two weeks ago.
The 37-year-old Swede will be trying to maintain that position at the $8 million BMW Championship, starting Thursday at Conway Farms Golf Club.
Woods, the world number one, will aim to finish the season on top, especially after the week off between tournaments.
“That was nice, it was nice to have that week of treatment, strengthening, so that was all good, and practicing towards the end of the week,” Woods said after he carded a bogey-free 68 in the pro-am on Wednesday.
Woods, whose wins in the Chicago area include two PGA Championship titles at Medinah and five US Tour wins at Cog Hill, says he likes playing in front of Windy City sports fans.
“It’s a great sporting town. They come out and support their events. This will be a fun crowd.”
Ailing Chiragh tied third in Taipei
Chiragh Kumar, coming off a long off-season following struggles with injuries and form, opened the Yeangder Tournament Players Championships with a fine four-under 68 that gave him a share of third place at the end of the first round on Thursday.
Chiragh, a teammate of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri at the 2006 Asian Games, when they won the team silver, closed the round with an eagle after three birdies and a bogey. Lahiri carded an even-par 72 to be tied 29th, while defending champion Bhullar and Abhinav Lohan shot one-over 73 each.