& # 039; It's great to be back & # 039; – Woods returns to glorious Torrey Pines for his 2019 opener

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Tiger Woods won eight times in 17 starts with Torrey Pines, including the 2008 US Open

Tiger Woods will start his season 2019 at the Farmers Insurance Open on a Torrey Pines job that has delivered incredible success for the American

The former number one of the world is chasing an 81st PGA Tour title at a venue that has received about 10% of those victories.

The last of Woods' 14 majors came in Torrey Pines in 2008, with his US Open triumph being part of a four-year unbeaten series about the California course.

"It's great to be back", said Woods, now in 13th place in the world.

The 43-year-old, who goes on his way to the opening round of Thursday alongside Tony Finau and Xander Schauffele, comes from the back of a victory at his most recent official start at the Tour Championship in September.

Thousands of fans spilled up to the 18th fairway to follow Woods as he claimed a first title since returning from accident and personal problems.

"It gives me shivers almost every time I see it," Woods said about the reaction.

"I have experienced things of this nature, but not that energy, that was very different, the energy of the crowd was on a red thread and they were sitting like that."

Woods who, since winning the Ryder Cup, Hero World Challenge and The Match against Phil Mickelson, he says has a better understanding of what he "can and can not do" this season and does not have the "insecurity where I was last years was working ".

"Much of it has been trained, tried to get In fact," added Woods,

"Last year, towards the end of the season, I became very tired because I was not expecting that I would play so much golf at the end and I did not train for it.

"This off-season I spent a lot of time in the gym and I have a lot stronger and feel that my legs are there where they must be, and that they were not at the end of the season. "

Woods is also ready to take advantage of a large number of new rules that the US Golf Association has implemented this year, including allowing players to leave the flag in the hole while

"It might be more advantageous if we come on faster greens with a little bit more slope, that is to say Augusta," he said, referring to the masters.

"It will give you more safety on a three to four -footer down the hill. You can just take a slice. "