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Tiger acclimating to Royal Portrush after lengthy break

Niall Carson - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

Tiger Woods was in Northern Ireland on Sunday for a practice round at Royal Portrush leading up to the 148th running of The Open.

Woods has been on hiatus since he finished in a tie for 21st at the U.S. Open in June. He only began practicing recently after taking a two-week vacation with his family in Thailand following his appearance at Pebble Beach.

The 15-time major champion knows his routine well and isn't concerned that his recent break will affect his performance at The Open.

"Not at all," Woods said, according to ESPN's Bob Harig. "Because I do the same thing. I start from the green back. I putt, chip, pitch, short irons, mid irons, long irons, long irons, woods. And then I eventually play. Nothing has changed. The only difference is that certain days I can do more than others."

"The break is always great for my golf, especially now," Tiger added. "I told you guys last year I wouldn't be playing as much this year, and it's going to turn out that way."

Royal Portrush hasn't hosted The Open since 1951, so Woods is emphasizing course navigation as he prepares to take on the 7,334-yard track for the first time in a major.

"A lot of movement. A lot of decisions off the tees, angles," he said. "With the wind switching and coming out of the south in the future, a lot of these shots hit today are useless. Trying to figure out what lines to take, what lines to take on, what lines not to take on. And then these green complexes are so complicated, you have to miss the ball in the right spot."

Woods was in the thick of the race for the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 2018, leading for a brief period in the final round before ultimately finishing tied for sixth. He's won the event three times, taking the title in 2000, 2005, and 2006.

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