Tiger ‘looks good’ in practice round

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia (AP) ― Tiger Woods snuck in a quick nine holes Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the PGA Championship, his first major since the Masters.

Woods, paired with Arjun Atwal at the Atlanta Athletic Club, was joined by teacher Sean Foley ― who was adjusting and tweaking his star pupil’s stance and swing throughout the round. Woods hasn’t won a tournament since November 2009 and hasn’t won a major since the U.S. Open three years ago.

Atwal, though, said Woods is closing in on the swing that’s won him 14 major titles in his career.

“He looked good,” Atwal said. “He’s really flushing it and got that sound again. He just needs more repetitions.”

Woods was surrounded by security guards after his round and did not speak to reporters. He has a news conference scheduled for Wednesday morning.

He returned last week from a knee injury, tying for 37th at the WGC-Bridgestone.

Woods was easy-going with the large gallery that followed him over the front nine and took mobile phone photos at nearly every turn. He smiled at a little girl walking to the seventh tee and answered, “What’s up?” after she called his name. He signed autographs for eager fans following the round.

When Atwal accidently hit Woods in the leg with an easy practice chip, he asked, “Was that the bad leg?”

“It is now,” Woods responded with a smile.

Woods hurt his knee at the Masters last April, then withdrew from The Players Championship after nine holes a month later when the pain got too great. He said he wouldn’t compete again until he was fully healthy.