Tiger Woods still casts giant shadow as PGA opens

ST. LOUIS – Ten years after his last major victory and five years since his last triumph, Tiger Woods is back on the prowl and a new generation of rivals couldn’t be more thrilled.

When 98 of the world’s 100 top players tee off Thursday in the 100th PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club, there will be more than a few who hope to live out a boyhood dream and battle the 14-time major champion for glory on Sunday.

“He’s still Tiger,” said Britain’s 27-year-old Tommy Fleetwood. “For guys from my generation that would have grown up with Tiger in his prime, how many people get the chance to be in contention or play against Tiger Woods on a final day of a major when he was the guy you watched. He was the hero.”

Woods is only eight months into his comeback from spinal fusion surgery after missing most of the past two seasons with severe back pain that had him wondering if he might ever play again.

“Just for me to be able to have this opportunity again is a dream come true,” Woods said. “I didn’t know if I could do this again, and lo and behold, here I am.