Story highlights
Tiger Woods is not thinking about a possible match-up with Adam Scott
Australian's caddy Steve Williams recently aimed a racial slur at Woods
Scott also plays down prospect of a clash at this week's Presidents Cup
The biennial teams event starts in Melbourne on Thursday
Tiger Woods says he is unfazed by the prospect of being paired with Australian golfer Adam Scott and his ex-caddy Steve Williams at this week’s Presidents Cup in Melbourne.
Williams, now working with world No. 7 Scott, has apologized for a racial slur he made against his former longtime employer at an awards function in Shanghai, China.
Woods, a 14-time major winner, accepted the New Zealander’s apology and insisted his sole focus is on helping the U.S. retain the title they won against the International team in California two years ago.
When asked about the possibility of a singles match-up with Scott, the former world No. 1 told the tournament’s official website: “Well, we have got a lot of matches to be played and won by then. So that’s our main focus. If that happens, it happens.
“But that’s in singles. That’s way off. We have got a lot of points between now and then, and we have got to take care of our business before that even comes about.”
Scott said he would happily oblige if International captain Greg Norman wanted him to play Woods, who returned the the world’s top 50 after finishing third at last weekend’s Australian Open.
“It’s probably inevitable in these events,” the 31-year-old said. “I’ve played him before. You know, it’s going to be a tough point to win like every other point. But that’s the goal is to go and try to get a point out of it.
“If Greg thinks it’s the right match to put out there, just go out there and try to win a point. I don’t think there’s too much point worrying about it. I have to play four hard matches and none of them are going to be easy.”
Scott has never tasted Presidents Cup victory, despite playing in the last four editions of the two-yearly contest.
The only time the International team have defeated their American opponents was 1998, the last time the Royal Melbourne Golf Club hosted the tournament – which has foursomes on Thursday, fourball on Friday, both of those match play pairs formats on Saturday, and singles between all 24 players on Sunday.
Woods, who played in the U.S. team’s 20½-11½ defeat that year, said of the course: “The fairways have slowed down. You’re still playing to the same areas, but we are hitting different clubs.
“The ball is definitely going further. Plus it’s hot. The ball is traveling. I know we have got some weather coming in this weekend, so that might change things up a bit.”
The 35-year-old has practiced alongside Steve Stricker, his playing partner at the 2009 Presidents Cup and the 2010 Ryder Cup.
“I was pleased and excited to see what Strick was able to do today,” Woods said of the 44-year-old. “He was hitting the ball a long way. I mean, he hit the ball solid, had some distance and had some pop on his swing.
“Hopefully we’ll get put out there together. I know that we feel very comfortable with one another and we were talking about it today, there’s a certain comfort level about each other’s games.”
Scott was unconcerned about who he would play with.
“After playing in four Cups now, and having theories and changing them, and reassessing, I think I can play with anyone on this team and be a successful pairing,” he said.
“I don’t really think it matters that much, especially around this kind of golf course, so I’ll be comfortable with any of the other 11 guys.”
