Woods Hunted Like A Tiger

DEFENDING champion Cheyenne Woods has plenty of her famous family’s fighter genes to know innately there is no way uncle Tiger is going to “disappear” from golf.
While career obituaries are growing for world golf’s biggest name because of the chipping yips and a fragile back, niece Cheyenne has literally come face-to-face with her growing profile ahead of tomorrow’s start to the RACV Ladies Masters.
Having her face on permanent loop on the in-house TV channel at the Royal Pines resort on the Gold Coast and seeing herself on billboards and posters has forced a double-take more than once from the charismatic yet humble talent.
“I don’t really think of myself as the hunted coming back to defend a title for the first time,” Woods, 24, said with a smile and a shrug.
“It was strange just seeing my face on the TV scrolling through, on player badges, billboards and stuff. It’s funny to see but I’ll take it... I like it.
“I’m pretty used to the name being in the spotlight so this week is not feeling any different in that way.
“I feel comfortable and if I was nervous at all having my mum and caddie with me this week would calm me.”
Former world No.1 Tiger Woods tweeted his pride in her perseverance when she qualified for the top-tier LPGA Tour at her third attempt last December and her support is as strong the other way.
“I know he’s been practising so hard. Hopefully he’ll be back for good next time because it’s what everyone wants to see,” she said of his last week’s injury withdrawal in San Diego.
“Of course, he will be. Someone like Tiger Woods doesn’t just disappear so he'll definitely be back.”
The Nike deal for the Arizona native with the covergirl looks was in place when she turned pro three years ago.
Her results just had to catch up.
Losing a passport before her first rookie trip to the Gold Coast in 2013, going on tour solo in Europe the same year and missing out twice at Q-school have all been part of a learning curve where she has had to learn patience.
“Not everything you want comes instantly. In professional golf we get so used to seeing it happen instantly for a lot of players and people don’t realise that for maybe 70-80 per cent of the players it’s not the case,” Woods said.
“At the time I wasn't ready. My path was definitely a different route to others but I'm able to appreciate the LPGA that much more.