Woods has lack of urgency
entering his 10th Masters
He enters the annual major
having won once this year
By Ron Green Jr.
Knight Ridder Newspapers (KRT)
AUGUSTA, Ga. — If the senti
mental story of this upcoming Mas
ters revolves around Arnold
Palmer's 50th and final competi
tion at Augusta National, the prac
tical question centers — as it so of
ten has — on Tiger Woods.
This will be Woods' 10th Masters,
a mini-milestone that has arrived
with alarming quickness to the
three-time champion.
"Can you believe that? Ten years
here," Woods asked rhetorically in a
question-and-answer session after
Tuesda/s practice round.
Not unlike a decade ago, Woods
arrives at the Masters this year with
questions hanging in the spring air
around him.
Ten years ago, it was whether
Woods could possibly touch the
enormous expectations surrounding
him. This year, it's whether he can re
generate the dominance that has
marked his career, especially in ma
jor championships.
Woods hasn't won a major title
since he held the U.S. Open trophy
above his head in the dying light at
Bethpage two summers ago. That's
six straight majors without a victory,
nothing noteworthy for anyone but
Woods, who knows that Jack Nick
laus once went 14 straight majors
without a victory in the prime of his
standard-setting career.
"There's no urgency," said Woods,
who has won once on the PGA Tour
this year. "You can't look at it that
way. If you (do), you won't win."
There have been multiple theories
as to why Woods hasn't won like he
did in 2000 and 2001 when he be
came the first player to hold all four
major titles at the same time.
His break with teacher Butch Har
mon and his engagement to Elin
Nordegren have been prime materi
al. Woods insists he set an impossi
bly high standard even he can't con
sistently reach while admitting his
game isn't as sharp as it was, citing
the nature of golf rather than the na
ture of life.
'Tiger is Tiger," said Vi jay Singh.
"I don't know if he's not playing
well or just waiting for the majors, I
have no idea. But I think our play
has gone up and closed the gap if
there was one. *
Woods has hit too many crooked
tee shots and, consequently, paid
the prices for his big misses. While
steadfastly maintaining his inde
pendence from Harmon, Woods
said he spent last week at home in
Orlando, Fla., working on his take
away, which has created some of
the swing problems that have crept
in over the past weeks.
With Augusta National expected
to play firm and fast for the first time
since its major overhaul after the
2001 tournament, ball-striking will
become more critical than ever.
Because of the addition of trees
and length over the past three years,
there is more emphasis on posi
tioning tee shots. Compounding
the challenge are the firm greens,
which have deceptively small land
ing areas, despite their appearance.
The list of potential winners,
Woods said, is narrowed by the ex
pected conditions.
"It's just amazing how you have to
hit the proper golf shot and, if you
don't, you're really going to pay the
price because everything is just zip
ping off the greens," Woods said.
While others fret for and about
Woods' game, he talks like a man
content with where he will begin
Thursday.
"I feel like I'm playing well,"
Woods said. "As far as the mass hys
teria (about his perceived struggles),
it's different for me versus any other
player. Some other player has a bad
week and misses the cut, it's no big
deal. I shoot one bad round, and it's
a little bit different.
"That's the way it is. It's the only
thing I've known since I've been
out here."
(c) 2004, The Charlotte Observer
(Charlotte, N.C.). Distributed by Knight
Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
NHL’s postseason
set to get under way
The playoffs could be the
last hockey many fans
see for a while because
of an expected labor strife
By Mike Heika
The Dallas Morning News (KRT)
DALLAS — ESPN hockey analyst
Bill Clement studied the Stanley Cup
playoff bracket and shook his head.
"The shame of it all is that some
very good teams are going to be sitting
home after the first round," he said. "I
mean, teams that believe they can win
the Stanley Cup are going to be done,
just like that."
Well, one man's shame is another
man's glory. This season's playoffs
have a chance to be the best ever, and
that's in large part because of first
round series that pit old rivals such as
the Stars and Colorado, Philadelphia
and New Jersey, Toronto and Ottawa,
and Boston and Montreal. Yes, some
good teams will be eliminated after
one round, but the level of play for
this year's Stanley Cup chase should
be volcanic from Day One.
It could be the kind of hockey that
finally sheds good light on a league
that has stumbled through a year of
darkness.
"It's the best time of the year, and
this year might be better than ever,"
said Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock,
whose team has drawn no small as
signment in opening against the de
fending Stanley Cup champion
Devils. "You look down the line, and
every series has something intrigu
ing. And I will guarantee you this:
Any prediction you make is a pure
guess. There's nobody who can even
begin to imagine what might happen
this year."
In a season when The View's
Meredith Vieira has weighed in on
hockey violence, it would actually be
good to hear more of Barry Melrose
opining on how Detroit goaltender
Manny Legace controls his rebounds.
Vieira and a host of other talking
heads criticized the NHL after Van
couver's Bertuzzi sucker-punched
Colorado's Steve Moore, causing two
broken vertebrae that could end
Moore's career. Bertuzzi was sus
pended for the remainder of the reg
ular season and playoffs, and the
league is hoping he will become a
footnote in the postseason.
"You look at the matchups, and
they're terrific," Stars winger' Bill
Guerin said. "The league has to be ec
static."
And a large group of veterans be
lieves this could be their last chance to
win a Stanley Cup.
The NHL's contract with its players
expires Sept. 15. There has been little
progress toward a new agreement,
and players and management are pre
pared for a labor war that could wipe
out next season.
(c) 2004, The Dallas Morning News.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune
Information Services.
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Horoscope by Linda C. Black
Today's Birthday (April 7). This year
is about plans and preparation. Get
your ducks in a row, but don't march
them off quite yet. The closer you get
to your goal, the more problems you'll
discover. Proceed with caution.
To get the advantage, check the day's
rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the
most challenging.
Arles (March 21-April 19) _ Today is
an 6 _ You can share your concerns
and feelings of inadequacy with your
mate, but don't let the competition in
on your little secret. Allow them to
believe that you haven't a fear in the
world.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) _ Today is a
6 _ It's not a good day to travel or to
test abstract ideas. Stay practical _
and close to home „ in order to mini
mize annoyance.
Gemini (May 21-June 21) _ Today is
a 6 _ When you're busy, you may for
get that you have a goal in mind. If
you don't have one, then make one up
now, and make it a juicy prize.
Cancer (June 22-July 22) _ Today is a
7 _ It's not a good time to gamble,
though you're lucky in other areas. A
friend of yours comes through just
when you need help the most.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) _ Today is a 6 _
There are a few things in your way
that aren't conducive to the vision that
you and your partner share. You’ll
have to move them aside.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) _ Today is a
7 _ With concentration and planning,
you can turn your nest egg into gold.
Others might make and lose several
fortunes, but you’d rather get one and
hold onto it. Figure out how, with the
help of a rich friend.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) _ Today is a
7 _ Creative work pays best now, but
it's hardest to pin down. You can't
afford distractions, so schedule
romance for another time. Friday night
should be good for that.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) _ Today is
a 7 _ You may not have to say what's
on your mind. You can let your part
ner, or perhaps even your attorney,
carry the message to those con
cerned.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec 21) _ Today
is a 6 _ Be forewarned that something
you believe to be true could be tested,
and soon. In a way, this is good. You'll
know which parts are fact and which
parts are fantasy.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) _ Today
is a 7 _ A friend points out a flaw in
your reasoning, causing you to recon
sider whether you can afford to fulfill a
fantasy now. You may want to wait a
while longer.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) _ Today is
a 7 _ A critical person's comments cut
deep, and in a most vulnerable spot.
Unfortunately, it hurts. Fortunately, it
helps you get tough.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) _ Today is
a 7 _ A fantasy bubble will soon pop,
so don't be riding in that bubble when
it bursts. Allow yourself a little emo
tional distance.
Scholars Program
tor students .considering doctoral to yet studios
Paid Summer Research
Tuition Waivers
Graduate School Preparation
, ^ , Connections with
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Tuesday, April 13th
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Meet current scholars
and the Program Coordinator.
Applications available at the meeting. Deadline: May 7, 2004
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130 CARS/TRUCKS/CYCLES
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190 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are only 2 Duck Days remain
ing, and the Admission office is look
ing for volunteers to lead tours.
Training is mandatory. Please call
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mation and training dates.
190 OPPORTUNITIES
Wildland Firefighters Needed
Exciting outdoor summer job
June training need 2 pieces ID
Apply: 10am-4pm. 746-7528
1322 N 30th St. Springfield
Looking for teacher aides to work in
infant through, school age class
room. Floater positions available.
Play for pay! Contact Alisa at 346
5590.
205 HELP WANTED
You want to change things...Start
here. Help build Teach for America’s
movement to end education inequity
as a Campus Campaign Manager.
Teach for America seeks outstand
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