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          Tiger Woods hits shots during California clinic

          • Bob HarigOct 12, 2016, 02:47 AM
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            • Senior golf writer for ESPN.com
            • Covered golf for more than 20 years
            • Earned Evans Scholarship to attend Indiana University

          Tiger Woods decided against playing in the Safeway Open this week, but he nonetheless was hitting golf balls Tuesday a few hours down the road in California as a part of a clinic he conducted at Monterey Peninsula Country Club near Pebble Beach.

          Woods, 40, who said his game was "vulnerable and not where it needs to be'' in announcing his change of heart about playing his first tournament in more than 14 months, was giving the clinic as part of the Tiger Woods Invitational, a three-day event that raises funds for his foundation.

          Woods hit a variety of shots, and appeared to be at ease although perhaps not swinging at full speed. He answered questions, including one about his clubs in which he said equipment companies have been sending him product to test in the aftermath of Nike Golf getting out of the club-making business. He was using Nike equipment during the clinic.