Golf: Tiger Woods says he can win PGA Championship, criticism of Phil Mickelson

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»I feel like I can, definitely«: Tiger Woods

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Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports/ REUTERS

Golf superstar Tiger Woods is on the right track to regaining his former strength after his serious car accident.

The 15-time major winner celebrated an acclaimed comeback in April and now even dares to win the PGA Championship, which begins on Thursday.

"I feel like I can, definitely," said the 46-year-old, who won the 2007 title at Southern Hills Country Club.

His body is better than at his last tournament: "I just have to go out there and do it.

I have to do my job.«

»You have to earn it«

Woods clearly criticized the absence of title holder Phil Mickelson.

"It's always disappointing when the defending champion isn't here," Woods said on Tuesday (local time) in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

"Phil said some things that many of us who are committed to the tour and the legacy of the tour have resisted."

Mickelson had taken a break after controversial statements about the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia.

The 51-year-old is said to be a key figure in the new multi-billion dollar LIV Golf Invitational Series, funded by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

He had criticized the PGA Tour for not changing enough and accused her, among other things, of “disgusting greed”.

Last week, Mickelson canceled his participation in the second major of the year.

“I understand different points of view, but I believe in a legacy.

I believe in major tournaments.

I believe in comparisons with historical figures of the past,” said Woods now.

“There's a lot of money out here.

The tour is growing.

But it's like any other sport: you have to go out there and earn it.«

sak/dpa/sid/Reuters