SAN DIEGO, California (AFP) — Tiger Woods talked confidently about his chances for a Grand Slam sweep Wednesday on the eve of his 2008 US PGA debut, where he hopes to match Arnold Palmer on golf's all-time win list.
World number one Woods seeks his fourth title in a row, fifth in six years and sixth overall at the 5.2 million-dollar Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines Country Club, site of the US Open on June 12-15.
Woods, who is five major titles shy of the all-time record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus, has taken four Masters titles at Augusta National and has fared well at Royal Birkdale, site of the British Open in July.
"Do I see it as a possibility? The answer is yes," Woods said. "It's a matter of having your game come together and getting all the right breaks. You have to get lucky."
Woods, who had a "Tiger Slam" of four major triumphs in a row ending with the 2001 Masters, likes his chances of a calendar year run this time for more reasons than courses that set up well for his game.
"It's the development of my game over the years. For most of my career I've won more than four tournaments a year. It's just winning the right four. If you put it all together, have the stars line up, I certainly think it's possible.
"It would be nice. It would be a different way of doing it than I have before. Hopefully I can get it done."
Rivals such as world number two Phil Mickelson, also set to make his 2008 PGA debut this week, have no lack of faith they can deny Woods with some major wins of their own.
"He's obviously a very confident player and he should be confident," said Mickelson. "This year I should be able to put myself in contention as well and I look forward to playing against him."
Woods, who won seven times in 16 starts and led the PGA with 10.8 million dollars last year, enters the season with 61 career victories, one shy of matching Arnold Palmer for fourth on golf's all-time win list.
"Arnold and I had a lot of of great thoughts and dinners together," Woods said. "Arnold, he is the King. He is the greatest, so much fun to be around."
Sam Snead has the all-time PGA win record with 82 followed by Nicklaus at 73 and Ben Hogan on 64.
Woods put away his clubs during his rest and enjoyed his daughter Sam's first Christmas, saying the rest has helped recharge him.
"The break was nice. It was nice to get away from it for a little bit and stay home, turn it off," Woods said.
"(I'm) certainly stronger. Everything feels pretty good. Just a matter of getting out and competing again. I'm really looking forward to teeing it up."
Woods dismissed the idea he should have felt more outrage at Golf Channel commentator Kelly Tilghman's remark that rivals should try to "lynch him in a back alley", saying he could not bear outrage for all African-Americans.
"There are people who want me to be champion of all causes. I just can't do that," Woods said.
"I am socially active every day of my life with my foundation. We bust our tails to give as many opportunities to kids to improve their lives. That's my focus."
Woods questioned the need for the image of a noose on the cover of Golfweek magazine last week after he thought he had put the issue to rest.
"I thought the incident was pretty much handled and over," Woods said. "The Golfweek story, the cover itself, just perpetuated it. We had moved on from it. The Golfweek cover perpetuated it and created a firestorm."
Woods applauded an off week in September's PGA schedule ahead of the Ryder Cup and the Tour Championship the following week. Many players avoided playing in all parts of the playoff run-up to the tour finale last year.
"It's a good change considering the Ryder Cup is a big week," Woods said. "I don't think the commissioner wanted to be responsible for wearing out the guys on the (US) Ryder Cup team. If we happened to lose, that wouldn't be good."
Mickelson, fighting off a respiratory ailment, sees playing this week as a key tuneup for the Open in June.
"Getting on the green and seeing the breaks is going to be a big factor," Mickelson said. "Even though the course is softer this week, you still have to get on the greens and hit the ball 45 or 50 feet. It gives you a good feel for the golf course."
Mickelson is confident that working with coach Butch Harmon has prepared him for a strong start to the season.
"Heading into 2008, I'm better equipped to drive the ball well," he said. "I feel I will be able to drive the ball in the fairway and keep the ball in play much better."
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