Els offers insight on Woods' injury
Ernie Els has warned that it may take Tiger Woods another year after he comes back to fully recover from his knee injury.
Els underwent a similar operation to repair his anterior cruciate ligament in 2005. "I know exactly what he's going through at the moment," Els said. "You know, it's a bit of a frustrating time.
"And it's going to take him a while to get over that injury. I guess his first tournament might be Bay Hill in March and then would try to get himself ready for the Masters."
Els offers a fascinating insight into what Woods might face when he begins his return. "The first couple of weeks when he comes back it will swell up and he'll feel it and he'll feel it for another six months.
"That's what I went through," added the South African who sustained his injury in a freak boating accident on a family holiday.
"He's not going to be over his injury for another year after he's come back," Els said.
Woods has said in a rare radio interview this week that he is expecting to be able to hit balls for the first time since his operation early in the New Year.
Ok, that's enough Tiger Woods for now - but to all those who feel I'm unhealthily obsessed with the world number one bear in mind that this is being written as the first round is taking shape. The main stories of the week are yet to be made.
Right now it's worrying and disappointing to witness an awful start for Britain's big hope Lee Westwood with five dropped shots in his first seven holes.
There are echoes here of how he started the Open at Birkdale, but the difference is that conditions are nigh on perfect - the rain isn't coming in sideways as it did then.
Padraig Harrington heads out for his first major round since winning the Open able to celebrate becoming the European Tour's Golfer of the Month for July. It was one of the easier votes for this award given the Irishman's Birkdale exploits.
Rocco Mediate is lapping up the celebrity status he created for himself by pushing the one legged Woods all the way over 91 holes at the US Open.
The likeable American is being recognised by the public like never before and was astounded when a car in the nearby town of Birmingham screeched to a halt.
From the passenger seat out popped a young boy brandishing his autograph book. "It was kind of freaky actually," said Mediate before confirming there had been no prospect of a traffic incident.
"There wasn't much going on, it wasn't a busy street."
As for the Five Live team, we're still enjoying the feel good factor having witnessed a brilliant Rod Stewart concert last night at a nearby venue.
We half expected Monty to be introduced on stage - but the theme was very much football and a display that showed the old rocker still has what it takes.
It makes me wonder whether this is a week for one of the game's old stagers and now that I have said that it is probably time to stick some money on Anthony Kim!
By the way, don't forget we have live commentary on the climax of the third and fourth rounds on Radio Five Live. We're on Sports Extra from nine on Saturday night and Five Live from nine on Sunday night.
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Comment number 1.
At 8th Aug 2008, lalana1 wrote:To see a journeyman player like Rocco Mediate get attention like this is refreshing.It's a new novel experience for him and am sure he feels good about all the adulation he's achieved.It may not be forever-lasting however....unless he produces further feats of performance....but that's okay,as I feel the novelty would quickly wear off and become a bit thin if he were continually stopped by people while going about his daily living.
Here's hoping a European player can win the USPGA major and set up(hopefully) a
great win for Europe again in the Ryder Cup!!
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Comment number 2.
At 8th Aug 2008, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Would be interested to know what Iain thinks about Westwood's comments about the course set-up on Thursday. As haven't seen anyone else complaining about it.
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