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  Tuesday, 3 April, 2001, 19:48 GMT 20:48 UK
Woods blames fatigue for poor form
Tiger Woods
Woods says he is at top form ahead of the Masters
Tiger Woods, going for his fourth Major championship in a row in the US Open, has blamed his lack of form earlier this year on his busy schedule at the end of 2000.

Woods, who begins his quest for a second career Masters title on Thursday, told a news conference that his energy levels had been low at the start of the year.

"I will probably make changes in the future to this scheduling," said Woods, who won the US Open, British Open and PGA Championship last year.

He said he did not feel a particular burden going into the year's first Major, which he won in 1997.


I am not really concerned about whether it would be a Grand Slam or not
Tiger Woods

"Come Sunday and win or lose life will go on, the sun will come up on Monday," he said.

But Woods insists that if he wins on Sunday he will be able to say he has won the Grand Slam.

That has been the subject of much debate in the run up to the Masters - golfing greats like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer argue that Woods could only claim that if he won all four Majors in one year.

Woods said: "I would never show disrespect to them, but everybody is entitled to their own views on life.

Grand Slam debate

"The harder way to accomplish a Grand Slam is in one year, but if you can put all four trophies on your coffee table I think you can make a pretty good case for that, too.

"Whether it is or it isn't is not something I am really concerned about.

"Back in the summer of last year (in the Open at St Andrews) I had the chance of a career Grand Slam. But my goal was to win the tournament.

"A career Grand Slam was a by-product and here it's the same. I'm trying to win the championship.

Crowds at the US Open practice days
Crowds turned up just to watch Woods practise

"But it would be nice to put all four together for however long it is.

He added: "It's going to be extremely difficult this week, although the rain has softened it up.

"I'm pretty close to my best and hopefully it will all come together. I've prepared and I hope I can play well."

  • Organisers of the Lancome Trophy in Paris have confirmed that Woods will play there the week before the Ryder Cup in September.


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    03 Apr 01 | US Masters
    03 Apr 01 | US Masters
    03 Apr 01 | US Masters
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