Cabrera pining for Woods

Reuters - Tue, 02 Mar 20:27:00 2010

US Masters champion Angel Cabrera wants world number one Tiger Woods to return to golf as soon as possible.

GOLF 2006 British Open Tiger Woods 4th round - 0

"Tiger is the best. I want him to be back," the Argentine said. "When he's there he makes a big difference (and) a special tournament."

Woods, who is taking an indefinite break from the sport after admitting in December that he had cheated on his wife, is unlikely to be competing when Cabrera defends his title at Augusta National next month.

"It's going to be something special," said Cabrera. "I want him to be back but the Masters will always be the Masters, with or without Tiger."

The world number 29 said his play-off win over Americans Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell last year had proved his 2007 US Open victory was no fluke.

"This is very important for me," he said. "It signifies I can win Majors, that it wasn't by luck that I won the US Open.

"It tells me I can get those big tournaments."

Cabrera said he learned a lot playing alongside five-times Major winner Seve Ballesteros on the European Tour earlier in his career.

"You have to play the most natural that you can despite the pressure of the Majors," said the 40-year-old.

"I've had opportunities to play a lot of golf with Seve in Europe. He's given me good advice.

"I think we're very similar in the sense that you get to the ball, you might just see a shot and you go for it. That's a natural way that I also play," the Argentine added.

Cabrera, the first US Masters champion from South America, said his victory at Augusta made a big impact in his homeland.

"It was very important to bring back a Masters win. There are more people practising the game especially in Cordoba where I am," he said.

"I've seen a lot of young kids picking up the game."

Cabrera said selecting the menu for the annual Champions Dinner was simple.

"Not a lot to think about. Some good Argentine Asado (barbecue). Some good beef," he said.

Reuters

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