Thursday, May 31, 2001
Memorial always memorable to Woods
By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DUBLIN — Tiger Woods said Wednesday he is at the Memorial Tournament not only because he loves the golf course (Muirfield), the conditions (“immaculate”) and its founder (Jack Nicklaus).
“My goal is to win,” Woods said.
If he does, it will be his third straight victory here. That won't rank with his four major championship trophies, but he's never won a tourney three straight times in his young PGA career.
Last year, Woods set up the inevitable with a second-round 63 that led to a five-shot victory over Ernie Els and Justin Leonard.
In the back of Woods' mind is honing his game for the U.S. Open in two weeks.
The tournament is sold out. Davis Love (injury), David Duval (attending a wedding), and Phil Mickelson (taking a break), aren't here, but everybody else is, including Nicklaus, a two-time winner.
Among the contenders: Franklin's Frank Lickliter, who won his first PGA Tour event last weekend at the Kemper Open.
“It's great coming back here,” he said. “I win last week, and I get to see my family this week. ... This is always a great tournament to win. Mr. Nicklaus knows how to run a tournament.”
Woods echoed that.
“I think every time you get the involvement of such a great champion as in Jack — same thing with Bay Hill with Arnold (Palmer) and the Byron Nelson — those tournaments stand out because of the quality of the individuals involved,” Woods said.
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Memorial always memorable to Woods
