• PGA Tour

Palmer predicts imminent Woods victory

ESPN staff
March 23, 2011
Arnold Palmer believes Tiger Woods' game is coming together again © Getty Images
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Arnold Palmer believes Tiger Woods could end his winless streak this weekend at the tournament that bears his name.

Woods will tee it up at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday, in his final competitive appearance before The Masters next month. And Palmer believes a return to Bay Hill - where he has won six times in the past - could be what Woods needs to return to the winner's circle.

"I've obviously been watching his game just like everyone else has," Palmer said. "I feel like Tiger has a golf game that can come to the surface any time. I think that's certainly a possibility here.

"He likes the golf course, he likes what we've done, so I would just not count him out at all. I think he's capable of winning any time."

Meanwhile Woods, who has sounded more confident about his game in recent weeks, believes he has made a breakthrough with his putting stroke that could stand him in better stead after some poor displays on the greens.

"I went back to all of my old stuff that my dad and I used to work on," Woods said. "And that's when I felt that my stroke started becoming more sound, more solid, my speed became better. "It feels natural, because I've done it for so long. I just got away from it and now I'm going back to it.

"I don't know what that dude saw in my game, but he really knew putting and he knew my stroke. My dad really knew my stroke."

Working with new coach Sean Foley, Woods believes he is ready to contend again.

"It's taken a little bit of time, but then again I've showed some good signs of late," he said. "That was back to what I know I can do.

"I've had good practice sessions, so I'm really looking forward to [Thursday]."

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