Tiger Woods progresses to third round 66 and leads in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods has said it would be a "process" to overhaul his swing and bring his game back to the form that dominated for so many years. So far in Abu Dhabi, he's gotten progressively better with rounds of 70, 69, and 66 to share the lead at 11-under with Robert Rock heading into the final round.

Woods last played at the Chevron World Challenge in December where he birdied the final two holes to win by one shot over Zach Johnson. He will now have his chance for consecutive wins at a full field event against many of the top players in the world.

It should be quite a challenge as he will be chased by several players, including world number three Rory McILroy, who is two shots back.

Woods opens with 70 in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods began his 2012 season with an opening round 70 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship which included two birdies and no bogeys. He had complete control of his swing while hitting 17 out of 18 greens but struggled on the greens ending with 35 putts.

“It was a good ball-striking round,” Woods said. “But I had a hard time reading the greens. They were pretty grainy, and I just had a hard time getting a feel for it, especially for the first few holes. Towards the end I hit some pretty good putts, but overall I got fooled a lot on my reads.”
 
Woods played with world number one Luke Donald, who shot a 1-under 71, and world number three Rory McILroy, who is tied for the lead after a 5-under 67.

Woods, Mcllroy, and Donald paired up in Abu Dhabi

The pairings and tee times are set for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with the featured group of Tiger Woods, Rory Mcllroy, and Luke Donald sure to take center stage for at least the first two days.

Question: Luke Donald raised some eyebrows at the end of last year, identifying Rory McIlroy as having the most talent he had ever seen, more even than you in your prime; I just wondered if you could talk to whether you see Rory as the most talented player you've ever seen, and also how you see Luke Donald's accomplishments and whether he deserves his world No. 1 ranking, despite not having won a major?

TIGER WOODS:  Well, you don't have to win a major to become the No. 1 player in the world; you have to be consistent.  You have to play well in the big events, and it's about accumulating points.  That's how the system has developed. But as far as being the most talented player, I think the most talented player that I've ever seen in person was Seve.  Never seen a person do the things with the golf ball that he was able to do and the creativeness that he was able to do.  To me, he certainly had the most talent that I had ever seen in person.  I had never saw Hogan hit a golf ball.  Never saw Mr.Nelson hit a golf ball.  I never saw Jack in his prime.  But I did see Seve when I first came out here, and I was able to play with him a few times; it was impressive.

Other notable pairings include the group of Jason Day, Darren Clarke, and Alvaro Quiros, as well as Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, and Lee Westwood.

Tiger Woods is not a fan of "The Big Miss"

Tiger Woods had his season opening presser today for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and discussed the usual topics such as the form of his game, his health, the top players in the world, and his goals for the upcoming season. Woods also discussed Hank Haney's new book, "The Big Miss", set for release one week prior to the Masters, but he didn't go in to great detail.

Did you ever think Hank would write a book about you?
TIGER WOODS:  No.

Q.  And if not, why not?  Why did you think he wouldn't?
TIGER WOODS:  I don't know.

Q.  And just when something like that‑‑ is it difficult to trust anybody, if everything is just going to get revealed in books and statements and telly and everything?
TIGER WOODS:  One might say that.

Q.  That must be sort of sad in a way.
TIGER WOODS:  You think it's sad?

Q.  Do you think it's sad?
TIGER WOODS:  I'm asking you.

Q.  I find it sad, yeah.
TIGER WOODS:  Okay.  There you go.  (Smiling).

Q.  It's on the book subject again, I'm afraid.
TIGER WOODS:  Yep.

Q.  I'm assuming you would appreciate why people in general and golfers in particular would like an insight into your game and swing and how things have developed.  Please tell me what's so wrong about Hank writing a book about you?
TIGER WOODS:  I think I've answered all the questions on that.

Q.  What's so wrong‑‑
TIGER WOODS:  I think I already have.  I'm sorry.

It can't be all bad for Woods right now as he's being paid a monster appearance fee this week. He also has a chance to compete against the top players in the world and zoom up the world rankings with a good tournament.

Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Betting Odds

The real start to the golf season kicks off Thursday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The tournament features a top notch field including world number one Luke Donald, defending champion Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Rory Mcllroy, and Tiger Woods. They will be joined by 2011 Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Darren Clarke, as well as Sergio Garcia and Jason Day.

Notable player betting odds include:

Tiger Woods: 7-1
Martin Kaymer: 13-2
Rory Mcllroy: 13-2
Lee Westwood:12-1
Luke Donald: 12-1
Sergio Garcia: 25-1
Jason Day: 28-1
Charl Schwartzel: 30-1
K.J. Choi: 33-1
Darren Clarke: 175-1

Tiger skipping Torrey Pines to play in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods has signed on to play the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in the Middle East January 26-29. He will join the top two ranked players in the world, Luke Donald and Rory McILroy. How about pairing those three together?

"I've always enjoyed playing in HSBC events around the world, so I have been interested in including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in my schedule for some time."

The field will also feature other tops stars including Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel, Jason Day, and K.J. Choi. 

"The giants of golf are coming to Abu Dhabi," said Faisal Al Sheikh, events manager, ADTA. "Traditionally, we have prioritized depth of field at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, and that has not changed for our seventh year. It is safe to say we are amassing the finest field to ever contest a Middle East tournament."  

Woods will be out of his usual stop during that time frame, the PGA event at Torry Pines, a course he has won on eight times previously.