Another sluggish start for Tiger Woods

San Martin: Tiger Woods returned from a seven-week break and not much has changed.

Woods went 13 holes between his two birdies Thursday in the Frys.com Open and had to work hard for a 2-over 73. That left him in danger of missing the cut in consecutive starts for the first time in his career.

Woods had not played since missing the cut at the PGA Championship in August. He said the time off at least gave him time to practice and figure out his swing changes, and he was playing 36 holes a day at home in Florida.

On a cool, rainy day at CordeValle, it was a different story.

He was outplayed in his group by UCLA sophomore Patrick Cantlay, who had a 69.

Texas Open winner Brendan Steele was among three players tied for lead at 4-under 67.

Bureau Report

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ICC President Sharad Pawar pays tribute to `Tiger` Pataudi

Dubai: ICC President Sharad Pawar on Friday paid tribute to late former India skipper Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, saying that he was one of the "greatest, most charismatic and flamboyant captains" to lead the country`s cricket team.

"On behalf of the International Cricket Council (ICC), I condole the passing of `Tiger` Pataudi who was one of India`s greatest, most charismatic and flamboyant captains," Pawar said in a statement.

Aged 70, Pataudi breathed his last yesterday after battling a lung infection for the past few weeks.

Pataudi led India in 40 of the 46 Tests he played between 1961 and 1975 and his finest moment came in 1967 when he guided the country to its maiden overseas Test series triumph.

"Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was a man of exceptional talent who turned out to be an inspiration to millions of cricketers, not only in India but across the globe. It was an honour and privilege to have known him," said Pawar.

"Mansur Ali Khan became a true darling of India cricket due to his on the field heroics and off the field easy manners. After retirement, he maintained his close association with the game in different capacities, including as a commentator."

"Whenever he shared his views on the game, they were taken seriously as they were considered to be coming right from the bottom of the heart of one of India`s greatest servants of the game. He will be sorely missed," Pawar added.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat also paid tribute to Pataudi, who fondly called `Tiger` for flamboyant persona.

"I was sad to learn of the demise of India`s iconic former Test captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

"...I had the privilege of discussing with him the past, present and future of Test and 50-over cricket. It was absolutely fascinating to hear his views and confidence in these formats," he said.

A Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968, Pataudi scored 2,793 runs at an average of 35 and included six centuries. He also served as an ICC match referee in two Tests and 10 ODIs between 1993 and 1996.

PTI

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Thousands mourn as Tiger Pataudi laid to rest

New Delhi: Former Indian cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who died of a lung ailment in Delhi yesterday, was laid to rest at his ancestral palace here today with thousands thronging the burial site to pay their last respects leading to chaotic scenes.

Pataudi, who was 70 when he breathed his last at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi, was buried next to the grave of his father, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi -- the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal.

As distraught family members, bid final goodbye to the man who was fondly called 'Tiger', there was chaos at the Pataudi Palace's sprawling campus with close to 15,000 people converging at the burial site to catch a glimpse of the proceedings.

The huge police presence was hardly a deterrent as media and the gathered crowd jostled to be the closest to the grave even as the Pataudi family grieved in silence.

Pataudi's wife, yesteryears' Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore, looked calm and composed when she came on the palace balcony once along with other female family members.

Pataudi's son Saif Ali Khan, also a Bollywood actor, performed the last rites after offering Friday prayers. Saif's actress girlfriend Kareena Kapoor looked distraught along with Pataudi's daughters Soha and Saba, both of whom were inconsolable.

Kareena's elder sister and Bollywood actress Karisma also attended the funeral and was seen consoling Saif.

From the cricketing fraternity, former captain Kapil Dev and Ajay Jadeja came with the family from Delhi this morning when Pataudi's body was brought here.

Also present was former captain and coach Anshuman Gaekwad along with santoor maestro Amjad Ali Khan.

The funeral procession of Pataudi began from his home in Delhi with several celebrities paying their last respects.

The body of the former captain, who would forever be remembered for leading India to their maiden Test series triumph abroad, was brought to his Vasant Vihar residence early this morning.

Among those who came to pay their last respects in Delhi were Pakistan High Commissioner Shahid Malik with his wife and Punjab Cricket Association chief I S Bindra.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, and BJP leader Arun Jaitley also paid their respects to Pataudi, who led India in 40 of the 46 Test matches he played.

Hundreds had gathered outside the Pataudi residence in Delhi also including numerous mediapersons, who even got into an argument with the policemen over the coverage.

Former Haryana Chief Minister O P Chautala also came to pay his respects but the procession had left for Pataudi by that time.

Pataudi, regarded as one of India's finest captains, scored 2793 runs in 46 Tests at an average of 35 and made six centuries, the biggest of which was an unbeaten 203 against England in Delhi in 1964.

Pataudi, who lost his right eye because of an accident, played 46 Tests between 1961 and 1975 and was arguably India's greatest captain. He was given the leadership in his fourth Test, when he was 21, in Barbados in 1962, because the regular captain Nari Contractor was in hospital after getting hit on the head by Charlie Griffith.

Pataudi, who was also known for his amazing sense of humour, was the youngest Test captain, a record that stood until 2004. He also captained Sussex and Oxford University.

Under Pataudi's captaincy, India won nine Tests but it was he who instilled the belief in the team that it could win international matches.

PTI

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Oz golf legend Greg Norman offers counselling to troubled Tiger Woods

London: Aussie legend Greg Norman has revealed that he would love to offer counselling to troubled Tiger Woods, after insisting that he had helped Bill Clinton through his personal problems.

The 56-year-old ‘Great White Shark’, who is now on his third marriage after divorcing tennis star Chris Evert in 2009, believes that his experiences could help the American superstar.

“I’d love to talk to Tiger about it, guy to guy,” he said.

“The president of the United States [Bill Clinton], when he came to my house, wanted to talk to me guy to guy.”

“We all put our ­underpants on the same way, one leg at a time. So we sit down and have a chat until two o’clock in the morning,” he added.

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Tiger may quit if form slump goes on: Gallacher

London: Former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher has questioned Tiger Woods`s golfing desire and believes the 14-times major winner could quit unless he quickly reverses his alarming slide down the rankings.

Woods is without a victory for almost two years and has slumped from first to 49th in the world in just 10 months while trying to rebuild his golf swing and private life following the break-up of his marriage.

The 35-year-old American failed to qualify for the PGA Tour`s money-spinning FedExCup playoffs and is not due to compete again until next month`s Frys.com Open in California, a U.S. Fall Series tournament.

"I can see a possibility of Tiger packing it in," Gallacher told Reuters in an interview. "I can see him getting to the point where he is fed up.

"If he doesn`t feel like he can win majors any more then he might just pack it in and concentrate on his foundation and try to redeem himself to the public by doing good work for his foundation.

"If he is outside the top 50 and doesn`t qualify for World Golf Championship (WGC) events and the FedExCup he might say, `I`m hitting my head up against the wall and might not bother`," added Gallacher.

The 62-year-old Scot, who was Ryder Cup captain in 1991, 1993 and 1995, said Woods was "not competing properly" any more.

"He is going into majors and WGC events without having played for two or three weeks leading up to them, thereby not getting into the competitive swing, and before he knows it he has missed the cut," said Gallacher.

"Now he`s playing in tournaments he doesn`t really want to play in. He`s going to play in the Fall Series in order to try and find his game," said ambassador Gallacher ahead of next week`s Nespresso Trophy amateur event at Archerfield Links in Scotland.

"Whether he`s got the desire any more, I don`t know."

Gallacher, a tough Ryder Cup competitor in his playing days who also won 10 European Tour titles, doubts that Woods can break Jack Nicklaus`s record of 18 major victories.

"I`ve got huge respect for Jack and he thinks Tiger will come back (to form) and has a good chance of beating his record," said the Scot. "Frankly I think it`s 30-70 against him getting back to the level he was at.”

"With all the distractions and problems he`s had from his personal life, and also from not competing as much, the landscape has changed. There are a lot of young players around now so I would say it`s doubtful he can reach those levels again."

Gallacher said the slide in Woods`s game was particularly evident on and around the greens.

"He is more wild off the tee but crucially he`s not holing the putts he used to," he explained. "That`s the important thing.

"You reach an age in golf where you don`t hole everything all the time. The other reason Tiger used to be different from everyone else, apart from the fact he was good up to the greens, was that he was fantastic around the greens.

"If he missed the greens he would definitely get up and down or he could hole a crucial putt at the right time. He is not as good around the greens now."

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