Tiger Prowls London's Hyde Park
November 14, 2000 - 0:0
LONDON Hyde Park, once the haunt of deer and wild boar, witnessed a tiger on the prowl on Monday.
Tiger Woods brought golf to the central London park, wowing crowds with the skills that have made him world number one.
Around 5,000 people, many of whom were skipping work, braved the wintry chill to watch the American, who finished joint fifth at the Valderrama championship at the weekend, play a specially-constructed mini-course.
"I hope this green's better than the 17th at Valderrama," he joked. The 24-year-old has come to grief in the water hazard at the 17th in four of his last five rounds on the Spanish course.
In a 50-minute exhibition, Woods picked out targets to demonstrate the precision of his driving.
He aimed his third drive toward a cameraman and the ball flew centimeters wide of his right shoulder.
Woods hit flags at the far end of the 300-meter fairway and bounced balls off speakers and into the crowd.
"I'll make sure I hit this one nice and low so you guys get a little buzz," he told one section of spectators.
Woods, who started playing aged two, let the crowd in on a few secrets. He explained how he calmed down on important putts by saying to himself: "Christ, my mum could make this putt." "But if you don't get nervous, I believe that means you don't care," he added.
For his finale Woods put pay to the rumor that his stunts on the famous Nike Advert were digitally generated. He played "keepy-uppy" with a club and ball, hitting the ball with the iron between his legs and behind his back.
"I first learnt how to do this when I was a little boy and I used to get bored," he said.
The climax was supposed to be woods hitting the ball up and belting it on to the fairway.
But all 10 attempts were unsuccessful and the champion eventually conceded defeat.
"So basically I'm a has-been," the champion joked. "But it's been a lot of fun." And for those in the park who thought that Woods had got his hands on every conceivable prize, there was one final surprise.
Steve Redgrave, British rower and winner of five Olympic golds, came on stage with team mate Matthew Pinsent and let Woods wear the gold medal.
"I'd like to see golf in the Olympics," Woods said.
"It's one of the oldest games ... and it would be great for the fans and a good way to grow the sport." (Reuter)
Tiger Woods brought golf to the central London park, wowing crowds with the skills that have made him world number one.
Around 5,000 people, many of whom were skipping work, braved the wintry chill to watch the American, who finished joint fifth at the Valderrama championship at the weekend, play a specially-constructed mini-course.
"I hope this green's better than the 17th at Valderrama," he joked. The 24-year-old has come to grief in the water hazard at the 17th in four of his last five rounds on the Spanish course.
In a 50-minute exhibition, Woods picked out targets to demonstrate the precision of his driving.
He aimed his third drive toward a cameraman and the ball flew centimeters wide of his right shoulder.
Woods hit flags at the far end of the 300-meter fairway and bounced balls off speakers and into the crowd.
"I'll make sure I hit this one nice and low so you guys get a little buzz," he told one section of spectators.
Woods, who started playing aged two, let the crowd in on a few secrets. He explained how he calmed down on important putts by saying to himself: "Christ, my mum could make this putt." "But if you don't get nervous, I believe that means you don't care," he added.
For his finale Woods put pay to the rumor that his stunts on the famous Nike Advert were digitally generated. He played "keepy-uppy" with a club and ball, hitting the ball with the iron between his legs and behind his back.
"I first learnt how to do this when I was a little boy and I used to get bored," he said.
The climax was supposed to be woods hitting the ball up and belting it on to the fairway.
But all 10 attempts were unsuccessful and the champion eventually conceded defeat.
"So basically I'm a has-been," the champion joked. "But it's been a lot of fun." And for those in the park who thought that Woods had got his hands on every conceivable prize, there was one final surprise.
Steve Redgrave, British rower and winner of five Olympic golds, came on stage with team mate Matthew Pinsent and let Woods wear the gold medal.
"I'd like to see golf in the Olympics," Woods said.
"It's one of the oldest games ... and it would be great for the fans and a good way to grow the sport." (Reuter)