Tiger Woods believes the USPGA Championship at Southern Hills is likely to be an open affair.
Tiger Woods believes the USPGA Championship at Southern Hills is likely to be a wide open affair and insists there is no shortage of players who could walk away with the title.
As has become customary, the world number one heads into the tournament as overwhelming favourite - especially having got back to winning ways last weekend.
There had been whispers that Woods may just have taken his competitive eye off the ball after the birth of his first child, but the American produced the perfect riposte at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational as a trademark final round charge saw him pull away to a commanding eight-stroke victory.
He heads to Southern Hills searching for his first major triumph of the season and hoping to avoid his first 'barren' year since 2004.
While most players and observers alike will regard the 31-year-old as the man to beat, Woods believes he is likely to face fierce competition to land the Wanamaker trophy and insists there are now a large number of rivals who could topple him in Tulsa.
Plenty of challengers
"It makes it even more challenging to win major championships," he said. "You don't have the same collection of guys any more. We're seeing new faces springing up and this year (three first-time winners at the first three majors of the season) is an example of that.
"Each and every year this is the deepest field we play in all year. Generally its 98, 97 of the top 100 or so that are here.
"On top of that Kerry Haigh (USPGA managing director) does a great job of setting up the course and making it fair. He makes it difficult but he makes it fair.
"I think that lends itself to more guys being in contention, and more guys at the top of the board, which makes for good theatre."
However, ominously for the rest of the field, the reigning champion goes into the event in good form following his success at Firestone and pleased with the state of his game.
Indeed, he sounded out a warning to his challengers insisting he is utterly focused on claiming what would be his 13th major crown.
Running into form
"Golf-wise it's been pretty good but not great," he continued. "I just think the major championships are valued that highly, and I've come close. I just haven't gotten it done yet.
"Made some nice strides last week, headed in the right direction and really looking forward to this week.
"That's why you go to an event, to win. I don't go there to just show up and I'm not here to work on my farmer tan and shed a couple of pounds.
"You go out to win period. That's why I'm here. The whole idea is to win."
