Just like us, pro golfers are bummed that Tiger Woods withdrew from Safeway Open
Lee Westwood, Chris Wood and Harold Varner III all weighed in on missing Big Cat
Tiger Woods pulled out of the Safeway Open this week, and that's a huge bummer. Not just for those of us who were clamoring for some mid-fall Big Cat, but also for his colleagues who are itching for Woods to get back on the course. Not just putting on clinics but actually on the course.
Several golfers on the PGA Tour and European Tour weighed in this week about Woods' prolonged absence. Here's a look at what they said.
Paul Casey: "I'm a golf fan as well as a player," Casey told Golf Channel. "It kills the vibe, but I want to see him back playing great golf again."
Chris Wood: "It's such a shame," Wood told Sky Sports. "I was tweeting and a few other players were tweeting about everyone being excited to see Tiger back and there is just nothing like it. It is such a buzz when he is due to play, although we're not used to seeing him for the last year or so."
Oliver Wilson: "I was gutted when I saw that, I was looking forward to watching him play," Wilson told Sky Sports. "There are a lot of people who want him to succeed, there are a lot who don't and I think that's a shame."
Steven Bowditch:
Don't wd tiger!! Come play a couple of practice rounds with me.. Your confidence will go through the roof!! 😜😜 https://t.co/oAIOR2NOc5
— Bowdo (@bowdo83) October 10, 2016
Lee Westwood: "I'm one of the fortunate ones out here that has played with Tiger when he was at his peak and for many years. I think everybody that's involved in golf would like to see him play like that again. If he feels like he can't reach that level, then you know, maybe he should give it a bit more time. Nobody wants to see him come out and not play well. So you know, he shouldn't rush it. He should come back when he's ready, not when everyone else wants him to play."
Bill Haas: "We shouldn't criticize him," Haas told Golf Channel. "I hate he's not ready, but when he comes back he's going to be a man to be reckoned with."
Harold Varner III: "It's a bummer, but I don't think we should be hard on him," Varner told Gold Channel. "This tour wouldn't be as good without him."
Max Homa (alternate who got into the field via Woods' withdrawal):
Thanks Tigers. Next time we hang out, dinner's on me. Get back out here soon plz.
— max homa (@maxhoma23) October 10, 2016
Sincerely,
Your biggest fan
"I'm looking out for myself first, but it is very bittersweet. Obviously, everyone wants to see him come back," Homa added to Golf Channel. "It's weird being the one to take his spot. He's doing what he thinks is best and that's the most important thing."
Luke Donald: "I think that you have to weigh that up with that feel of almost failure or fear or anxiety of not performing well," Donald told The Guardian. "If Tiger Woods is healthy like he says he is, that's probably what he's weighing out right now, just feeling comfortable. It's really hard to get comfortable unless you actually put yourself through it. At some point he's got to jump in, and if he messes up, he's got a good opportunity to get better the next time he plays."
















