Tiger Woods has been backed to win another major title by Pádraig Harrington. The American has won 15 of golf ’s biggest titles throughout his iconic career, with the most recent victory coming at The Masters in 2019.
He last appeared in a major in The Open but looked physically past his best as he missed the halfway cut at St. Andrews in July. However, he played - and lost - a 12-hole exhibition match with Rory McIlroy against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas last weekend.
His next appearance on the course will take place alongside his son Charlie at the PNC Championship in Orlando - an invitational event for 20 Major champions and their children. Harrington, a three-time major winner in his own right - who will also feature in the event alongside son Paddy - has not given up on the possibility of Woods claiming a top honour in the sport once again.
”Tiger knows if he can get himself into position, that he'll raise his game and put a little bit of pressure and stress on the rest of the field,” the Irishman said. “And he looked good physically in that match. So, I'm not saying he 'could be,' I actually believe he will be a danger. I think he'll win another Major. The way I looked at him, I genuinely think he will be in contention. And as I said, I'm sure he wishes every tournament he could play, if it's like a Major, he's going to have a chance.”
Earlier this week Colin Montgomerie claimed Woods should have called it quits at The Open Championship in July as it was the perfect time for the golfing great to bow out. The golf legend took what is likely his last stroll down the 18th on the Old Course in front of an admiring crowd.
“That was the time,” Montgomerie told golf website Bunkered. “Stand on that bridge, start waving, and everyone goes, 'So, is that it?' Yeah, it is. It would have been a glorious way to go.
"The stands were full, the world's TV cameras – from all continents – were on him, he's walking up there on his own, tears were in his eyes, obviously, you can't beat that walk.
“I've done it myself. When the stands are full, you cannot beat that walk. … I tell you what, that is a special, special arena. It's a theatre. That was the time for Tiger to say, 'OK, I bow out.' Why go on? Go out at the top,' Montgomerie added. "It's something that very few can do.”
Harrington meanwhile, was pleasantly surprised with Woods’ comeback on tour and would back him against anyone if he can make it to the final stages of an event. “I actually think he might be in a better place than I had thought,” the former Europe Ryder Cup captain said.
"If you can get Tiger to the last nine holes of a tournament, I don't think you're going to have a problem. You know he's capable of doing anything at that stage.”
