LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA | Tiger Woods spent most of Sunday at the Farmers Insurance Open unaware of the tragedy involving the death of retired basketball star Kobe Bryant, a longtime favorite athlete of his.
It wasn’t until after Woods (above) finished his final round at Torrey Pines – he finished tied for ninth after a final-round 70 on the South Course – that he learned about the helicopter crash outside Los Angeles that killed Bryant, the 41-year-old former Los Angeles Lakers standout, and eight others, including Bryant’s daughter, Gianna.
Joe LaCava, Woods’ caddie, was aware of the accident but decided against telling Woods. During the final round, Woods said he heard fans referencing “Mamba†(Bryant’s nickname), but did not know why.
Woods grew up a Lakers fan and was a great admirer of Bryant’s relentless competitiveness and talent. When Woods had a home in Southern California, he said the two of them occasionally worked out together while Bryant was with the Lakers.
“We really connected on more the mental side of it, the prep, how much it takes to be prepared,†Woods said. “For me, I don’t have to react like he does in my sport. We can take our time, but you’ve still got to pay attention to the details and that’s what he did better than probably any other player in NBA history. He paid attention to the details, the little things.
“The amount of hours that he spent in the gym in the offseason and during the summers to work on shots and do all the different things, it looked like it came natural to him on the court during game time, but he spent more hours looking at film and trying to figure out what’s the best way to become better. That’s where he and I really connected, because we’re very similar. We both came in the league – well, he came in the league and I turned pro right around the same time and we had our 20-year run together. It’s shocking.â€
Making his first start in 2020, Woods stayed on the edge of contention throughout the tournament but could never generate a serious run at the lead during the final 27 holes.
After shooting an opening 69, Woods started the second round by four-putting the first green for a double bogey, a stunning start on a hole that historically has given Woods trouble.
A quick start in Saturday’s third round moved Woods to within two strokes of the lead but he never got closer, posting rounds of 69-71-69-70 at a place where he has won eight times as a professional.
Woods, chasing a PGA Tour-record 83rd career victory, is scheduled to make his next start at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club in a little more than two weeks.
Ron Green Jr.
