No rest for Woods with lucrative China event in sights (Reuters) Updated: 2005-11-08 10:35 All in all, not too shabby for a player who spent much of last year revamping
his swing for the second time since he turned professional in 1996.
"It was a great season," Woods told reporters at East Lake. "To make all the
changes that I've made with (swing coach) Hank Haney and be in contention in
every major championship, that's ultimately what I want to do.
"I want to be there on the back nine in every major with a chance to win it.
This year I was there in all four," added Woods, who won his fourth U.S. Masters
in April and his second British Open at St Andrews in July. "That to me is
exciting".
PRETTY CLOSE
Asked whether he would rate 2005 as his second best year on the PGA Tour, he
replied: "Probably, yeah. '99 is probably pretty close. It's a toss up."
In 1999, Woods won eight titles, including the U.S. PGA Championship at
Medinah.
By some distance, his most successful season came in record-breaking style in
2000 when he won the last three majors of the year and nine titles in all.
Ever the perfectionist, though, he wants to become an even better player than
he was in 2000: hence the overhaul of his swing with Haney.
"My swing is more sound now, more efficient, but certainly technology has
helped, too," said Woods, who led the 2005 PGA Tour in earnings with a
career-best $10.6 million.
"I got with the times -- I'm a slow learner -- but I'm an inch and a half
longer on my driver. That's significant.
"Plus I went to a lighter shorter shaft, and the heads are bigger and faster
and my golf ball is a little faster. You add all that in it's going to be
significant.
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