11/1 Woods ‘all good’ despite practice no-show

Tiger Woods’ agent has insisted he’s “all good” ahead of this week’s US PGA Championship, despite him missing the final day of practice at Bethpage Black in order to rest (Woods 12/1 – Tournament Outright).

The 43-year-old completed his meteoric return to form in April as he sealed a 15th major title when winning the Masters at Augusta National – 11 years after his previous major success at the 2008 US Open.

Personal problems combined with long-term back injury issues had hampered Woods and looked to have curtailed his career, so picking up the fifth Green Jacket at Augusta was deemed one of the sport’s greatest comebacks.

He was expected to push on and target a record-equalling fifth US PGA Championship victory this week, but some doubts have been expressed over his lack of practice time in New York.

Woods played a full practice round at the course last week, but after playing nine holes on Monday, he used Tuesday just for range and putting drills.

It was expected that he would practice again on Wednesday, but despite his caddie Joe LaCava appearing at the green, Woods failed to turn up, leading to suggestions he could be encountering problems.

But his manager, Mark Steinberg, spoke out quickly to confirm that Woods is not suffering any health issues.

He told ESPN: “He’s all good, just getting some rest. He saw the course last week, all is good.”

Woods, who will start his first round (20/1 – 1st Round Leader) alongside defending champion and two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka and reigning Open champion Francesco Molinari, added: “I feel great. I’m excited to get out there.”

“This is going to be a long week the way the golf course is set up and potentially could play. This could be a hell of a championship.”

Odds subject to change.