Tiger Woods was, and is my favorite golfer on tour. There’s no one even close. To watch the championships that he has won and the unbelievable shots he has pulled off, has been a real treat.
Now he is 8th ranked player in the world instead of No. 1. He lets tournaments slip away from him like this years Masters where he had the lead on Sunday Afternoon. He has had his private life splattered all over every media (his fault) and is now divorced. Probably beaten down, embarrased, etc.
But he should be over that by now, right? He’s put himself out there and has weathered that storm, right?
His slide into mediocrity has been shocking to me. I really thought he would come back from scandal and still dominate. What I didn’t plan on was Tiger losing that “Eye of the Tiger” (remember Rocky III?). He had guys crapping their pants when they got paired with him. Now they relish it because they know they can beat him and that confidence only helps the other player, not Tiger because he is supposed to beat them like he always has.
This kinder, gentler Tiger is killing him and he should fire his advisors if that is what they are telling him. If Tiger has a bad round, you can find him laughing it off with the reporter after his round. In the old days, he would stare down that reporter for even thinking of asking Tiger a dumb question afterwards. It wasn’t personal, it was business and how his mindset was.
I can’t help but think if Earl was still alive, he would have sat Tiger down and gave him a good talking too or maybe even kicked his ass to straighten him out. And it would’ve worked. I think Tiger would’ve won already and had his swagger back.
Now Tiger probably will be out for a while with his latest string of injuries. Even though he is in tremendous shape, his body is breaking down on him. No body is meant to put the kind of torque he puts on his. Every year going forward he will probably be slowed down due to some injury that will come up. Just like a car that hit 100,000 miles, Tiger is starting to need repairs.
Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major Championships that once was certain to fall is probably now safe. Jack has said in the past that Tiger would certainly break his records if he remains healthy but unfortunately, that has not happened.
Tiger probably will win one or two more because his “C” game is still better than 85-90% of the players on Tour.
Tiger, I miss you already. I wish you a speedy recovery. I wish that your killer instinct will return to you. In fact, if you can’t find it, don’t come back at all. Don’t break my heart with a back nine collapse like I saw at this year’s Masters. That Tiger can stay home. I want vintage Tiger. The Tiger that will would pull my heart out and eat it in front of me if I ever thought of writing something like this in year’s past.
Tiger… think about it… Please
