Jimenez wants Woods to return to form because he's 'very good for golf'

Miguel Angel Jimenez believes the lack of a dominant force in the world of golf makes it an exciting time for spectators -- but would still like to see Tiger Woods get back to his best.

The 47-year-old Spaniard heads into the European Tour’s Czech Open at the Prosper Golf Resort, which he helped to design, having finished tied for 64th on 11 over in the PGA Championship. In making the cut, he at least did better than Woods, who crashed out at the halfway stage at 10 over for his two rounds.

No one player has yet emerged to take Woods' place as the man to beat, with PGA Champion Keegan Bradley the 13th different winner of the last 13 majors.

"It's good for golf, because it's more interesting for the people,” Jimenez said. “But then Tiger Woods was also very good for golf, and we need him to get back to his best, because the crowds are down without him, and so are the TV ratings.

"So it's a difficult one,” he added. “He's still the biggest name in golf, so we need him back playing well for the good of the game."

Jimenez heads into the tournament as the favorite, ahead of the likes of Ireland's Peter Lawrie, George Coetzee of South Africa, England's Gary Boyd and Soren Hansen of Denmark.

The popular Spaniard, who has had two second places this year without notching a win, admits the journey back from America has taken its toll on his preparations for this week's tournament, though.

"I feel like I'm playing well, although my results haven't been fantastic," he said. "I was a little bit tired when I arrived after a long flight from America, but I'm feeling much better now and I'm ready to play well.

"I would love to win this tournament, but there are a lot of good players here, so I'm going to have to play well. I'm still feeling a bit jetlagged, but you never know what can happen,” he added. "It was very hot and humid in America, so that tires you out even more. But I will give it my best shot -- that's all you can do.

"I started quite well at the start of the year, but lately I've been struggling with the putter,” he said. “But hopefully I can turn it around this week."

Last year's champion, Peter Hanson, will not be defending his title, but the two men he beat in a playoff last year, Lawrie and Boyd, will hope to go one better.