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Gallacher urges Woods to return to action quickly

Woods came up short on his return to tournament golf at the U.S. Masters.
Woods came up short on his return to tournament golf at the U.S. Masters.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Tiger Woods has yet to set a date for his second comeback tournament
  • Woods said he would 're-evaluate things' after his tied fourth Masters finish
  • Former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher says Woods needs to play more
  • Gallacher believes other players like Phil Miickelson have improved in his absence

(CNN) -- Tiger Woods needs to buckle down to regular tournament play if he is to achieve his goal of breaking the all-time majors record of 18 set by the legendary Jack Nicklaus.

That's the view of former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher, who told CNN that Woods has developed some technical flaws in his game which need urgent attention on the practice ground and in competitive action on the PGA Tour.

Gallacher made his comments in the aftermath of Woods' eagerly-anticipated return to golf at the U.S. Masters where he finished tied for fourth, five shots adrift of winner Phil Mickelson.

"He really needs to play. He won't challenge Jack Nicklaus' record unless he gets practicing and playing in tournaments," he said.

"The rest have improved, Phil Mickelson has improved and Lee Westwood (who finished second at Augusta) and Tiger will have to be at his best to beat them," he added.

He really needs to play. He won't challenge Jack Nicklaus' record unless he gets practicing and playing in tournaments
--Bernard Gallacher on Tiger Woods
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When Woods will next be in action is open to question and he gave little clues when he spoke to reporters after his final round at Augusta.

"I'm going to take a little time off and kind of re-evaluate things," he said.

There is speculation that Woods will not play again before the next major, the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in mid-June, but Gallacher told CNN that he believed the world number one would be back sooner.

"I think he is now down to play in a tournament in North Carolina and is going to take part in the Players Championship (in Florida next month)," said the Scot.

Woods was competing in his first tournament for five months after lurid revelations about his private life caused him to go into self-imposed exile.

He received a good reception from the galleries, but Gallacher contrasted that with the joy which greeted Mickelson's emotional victory after his wife's battle with breast cancer.

"Phil Mickelson's always engaged with spectators and the public, that's something Tiger should learn from," he said.

"Tom Watson said earlier this year that's something Tiger could improve on the course and I agree with that," he added.

Woods left Augusta unhappy with his form and his failure to win a 15th major and fifth Masters crown, when he returns again will be the subject of many column inches before an official announcement is made.