• WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship

Tiger plays down putting concerns

Tiger Woods has looked uncomfortable on the greens this year © PA Photos

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Tiger Woods has shrugged off concerns about his putting as he prepares to take on Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Woods has looked more in tune with the overhaul of his swing, putting himself in with a shot at titles, but he has looked short of confidence on the greens.

The former world No. 1 has built his reputation, and 14 major titles, on the back of a steely resolve - notably when faced with decisive putts. That steel has been lacking since his return from the personal problems that derailed his career, but Woods feels his putting has been solid this season.

"Basically I only putted really poorly in probably two of my rounds this year, so it's not too bad," Woods said. "I putted great on the last day in Abu Dhabi, but unfortunately it was for pars. The past Sunday was awful. I putted as well as I putted on Saturday, I putted that bad on Sunday."

Woods' form is a constant topic of debate but he claims he no longer pays any attention to what is being said about his game.

"I used to quite a bit when I was younger," he said when asked if he gets concerned about others talking about his game. "But as I've matured and gone beyond that it's just an opinion, it's their own opinion.

"It's their prerogative, it's their opinion. What matters is how I go out and play and how I'm progressing in my game. At the end of the day when I'm retired, I think I will have mastered a pretty good record."

Fernandez-Castano said after being drawn to face Woods that he felt the American was beatable. It was an understandable response to a question and drew an identical answer from his opponent.

"I feel exactly the same way as he does. I feel he's beatable, too," Woods said with a smile on his face.

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