First things first for Tiger Woods. That means the Advil Western Open–and then the British Open.
After Woods’ record-setting romp at the U.S. Open, the hype is on for next month’s British Open at St. Andrews. Woods will try to become only the fifth golfer, and the youngest, to win a career Grand Slam by capturing all four major titles.
Woods has geared his game for the majors, but he insisted Tuesday he still places a high priority on PGA Tour events. Because the Western will be Woods’ only regular tournament in between majors, Woods promised he isn’t about to look ahead.
“I’ve always been pretty good at staying in the moment,” Woods said in a conference call to promote the tournament July 6-9 at Cog Hill. “I’ve dedicated myself to the tournament I’m playing in. My attention will be on the Western, and solely on the Western.”
The Western, of course, couldn’t be happier. The tournament expects to benefit from yet another wave of Tiger Mania, like it did in 1997 after Woods won the Masters.
Tournament director John Kaczkowski reported that “the phones have been ringing off the hook” since Monday. He hopes to break the tournament attendance record, drawing more than 200,000 fans to Cog Hill.
Kaczkowski and the Western also received another bonus Tuesday when Woods said he intends to make the tournament a regular stop on his schedule. It would be a surprise if he didn’t, considering he has won two of the last three years.
“I love playing the Western,” Woods said. “It’s a great golf course for me. The people of Chicago have been great to me. I’ve always had success here.”
Woods is basking in the success of his first U.S. Open title, which NBC estimates 53 million people tuned in to see Saturday and Sunday. Sunday’s national rating for the tournament, an 8.1 with a 21 share, was the highest since 1981.
ESPN said its Open coverage Friday night pulled in 2.38 million homes–the cable outfit’s second-most watched golf event since 1982–with a 3.04 rating.
Immediately after the victory, Woods said the magnitude of his achievement still hadn’t hit him. Two days later, it still hadn’t completely registered.
“It still hasn’t sunk in,” Woods said. “I’ll look at a tape of the tournament. Then I’ll realize what I’ve done. That’s what I did when I won the Masters.”
Woods said he celebrated by drinking champagne out of the Open trophy and by watching his favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers, win the NBA title.
When asked when his personal celebration will end, Woods said, “Probably pretty soon.”
