Tiger Woods: US must ‘unite’

One of the most famous people in the US, Tiger Woods is urging his compatriots to “unite” during some turbulent times the country has arguably been recently experiencing.

The former world No. 1 golfer encouraged Americans to “come together and do what’s best for our country,” speaking to CNN’s Living Golf show in Dubai

Woods was talking in the aftermath of President Trump’s controversial immigration ban, which has caused ructions in the US and throughout the rest of the world.

Trump’s order has suspended the US refugee system for 120 days, suspended the Syrian refugee program indefinitely, and banned entry from seven Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – for 90 days, among other things.

“We need to unite, and be Americans,” said Woods, who played golf with the then president-elect in December.

“I know there is a lot of divisiveness as of right now but time, patience and unity I think will win out.”

A "back spasm" has forced Tiger Woods to withdraw from the Dubai Desert Classic.

Tiger Woods suffered another difficult opening day in his second tournament since returning from a long injury layoff.

Woods carded a five-over par round of 77 on the opening day of the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic Thursday.

The former world No. 1 didn't record a single birdie on the opening day.

Woods' once-legendary touch on the greens eluded him at the Emirates Golf Club.

"I didn't hit the ball very well," he told reporters after his round, EuropeanTour.com reported. "I left probably about 16 putts short. I just couldn't get the speed of these things and, consequently, it added up to a pretty high number."

Woods missed the cut on his return to action in last month's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, California.

A dejected-looking Woods leaves the ninth green at the end of his first round as playing partners Matthew Fitzpatrick and Masters champion Danny Willett of England shake hands behind him.

"I'm fighting my ass off to try and shoot a score," Woods said, EuropeanTour.com reported.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was the early tournament leader with a seven-under 65, one shot better South Africa's George Coetzee and Felipe Aguilar from Chile.

Woods is currently in a tie for 124th and in danger of missing the cut.

Tiger Woods toils at Dubai Desert Classic

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‘Not funny’

The 41-year-old, making his second appearance of the year in Dubai this week, feared he would never play golf again during “dark times” as he recovered from multiple back surgeries in late 2015.

“It was a tough, tough road,” said Woods, who returned to golf in December after 15 months out. “There was a lot of dark times where I couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t move, the pain was too great.

“Anyone who’s ever had nerve pain in their back, they certainly understand what that feels like. I honestly didn’t know this time last year, I didn’t know if I’d ever play golf again. Just because of the fact that it’s nerve pain.”

Woods has also missed several spells for knee surgery, notably after winning the last of his 14 major titles in 2008.

“You know, I’ve had a damaged knee, I’ve had a few operations on the knee, give me that any day of the week,” he said.

“I’d rather have that every day and deal with that pain than deal with nerve pain. It’s like hitting your funny bone a thousand times a day. It becomes not so funny.”

‘No pain’

Woods is playing this week’s Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour, his second tournament in a row after missing the cut on his 2017 season-opener in California last week.

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 14: Tiger Woods of the United States celebrates with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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The Californian says he was rusty at Torrey Pines in what was only his second event back, following December’s Hero World Challenge.

But he is unconcerned what people think about his technique, which has undergone various reincarnations over the years to accommodate his injuries.

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“I just play away from pain, it’s very simple,” said Woods. “Whatever that swing looks like, if it looks awful, then fine, I don’t care.

“If it looks like Jim Furyk, that’s fine, too,” added Woods, referring to the Ryder Cup captain whose unconventional swing has been likened to an “octopus falling out of a tree,” among other things, though it has netted him a US Open and 17 PGA Tour wins.

“As long as I don’t have pain, I can play.”

Tiger Woods: 'If [my swing] looks like Jim Furyk, that's fine.'

Chasing records

Woods insists his competitive fire burns just as fiercely, despite his advancing years and his time away from the game.

“That hasn’t changed,” he said. “That part is still there. I just need to get to where I’m playing enough tournament rounds to hit tournament shots. Hitting shots with your buddies back home is not the same as hitting tournament shots.”

LAHAINA, HI - JANUARY 05: Jason Day of Australia reacts on the first tee during the first round of the SBS Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Golf Club on January 5, 2017 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

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Woods is also scheduled to play the Genesis Open in California (February 16-19) and the Honda Classic in Florida (February 23-26) as he builds up to a return to Augusta for the Masters in April.

READ: 20 years of Tiger Woods – where it went right and wrong

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He won the last of his four green jackets there in 2005, but has had seven top-six finishes in his nine appearances since then.

Woods has won 79 PGA Tour titles, second only to Sam Snead’s record of 82, but none since he clinched five wins in 2013.

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He remains four major titles behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18.