Tiger Woods brings some new clubs, new expectations to Torrey Pines for Farmers

SAN DIEGO — On a delightful Tuesday by the Pacific Ocean, with the sun beaming and the breezes on the soft side, Tiger Woods took to one of his favorite stages in golf alongside Jordan Spieth.

It was here at Torrey Pines that Woods got his first taste of professional golf as he and his father would attend the Andy Williams San Diego Open. Then he built what would be a career for most of his colleagues by winning this tournament, now known as the Farmers Insurance Open, a record seven times. For good measure, he captured the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey.

He’s been coming to Torrey for so long, he basically knows every inch and blade of grass, every hump and bump from tee to green, every break on the putting surfaces of the massive property.

“How long have you been coming down here?” Spieth asked during the 10-hole practice round ahead of Thursday’s start of the Farmers Insurance Open.

“Well, 10 years longer than you’ve been alive,” Woods replied.

That made for a good laugh between the two. But while coming here once might have felt like old hat for Woods, who turned 43 last month, there’s something different about this trip. Unlike last year, when he came to Torrey full of doubt and lacking expectations in his return to the game following spinal fusion surgery, Woods is healthy, happy and full of optimism ahead of his 2019 debut. And he expects to win this year, just as he did last year when he captured The Tour Championship in the season finale.

“I know what my body can and cannot do,” Woods said of his heightened expectations. “Last year was very fluid and it was like trying to hit a moving target. It was quite interesting to try and figure it all out as the year progressed.

“This year I have a great understanding of what I can and can't do. I know what I'm feeling, so now it’s about finishing (the year) a little bit better and winning some events this year.”

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