Tiger salutes Harrington
2008-08-13 07:31
Los Angeles - Tiger Woods cheered Padraig Harrington's PGA Championship victory on Tuesday, saying he didn't miss not competing in the final major of the year while he recovers from season-ending surgery.
"I watched some of the PGA Championship and want to congratulate Padraig Harrington on his wins at the British (Open) and PGA," Woods said on his website on Tuesday. "I know I'm in no condition to beat anybody right now, so I don't have a problem with not being able to compete."
Woods, who said his rehab from knee surgery includes riding the stationary bike up to three times a day, said he plans to tune into next month's Ryder Cup competition between the US and Europe in Kentucky.
"I will definitely watch some of the Ryder Cup matches and will be pulling hard for the American team," said Woods. This is the first time since he turned pro that Woods will miss the Ryder Cup.
The 32-year-old Woods says he has lost 10 pounds since the surgery and that he is spending his time working on new video game endorsements. He also been working on his golf course design business and organizing tournaments.
Competing
Woods said it would be at least five months before he starts to practice golf again. He had surgery on his left knee June 24 which included taken a graft from his right hamstring to repair his ACL.
"The thing I miss the most about not competing is the fight. I've gone through this experience before, so I knew what I was in for.
"As a two-time defending PGA champion, it was a lot more frustrating not to be competing and that hurts the most."
Woods has won four PGA Tour events this year including a dramatic playoff victory over Rocco Mediate at the US Open.
He also won the Buick Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Accenture Match Play Championship. He finished second at the Masters.