Tiger Woods won last week for the first time in over two years. His game, which has steadily been progressing over the past couple months, seems to be back at an elite level. That used to spell doom for fellow competitors, especially with a major championship on the near horizon. As we all know though, things have changed.
When Tiger arrives at The Masters next week the pressure of the moment will rest squarely on his shoulders – not the rest of the field. If Woods wants to make that win last week matter, he needs to back it up.
Call me crazy, but I think Tiger needs to win next week. Winning the Arnold Palmer is nice, but a major championship is how the pendulum truly swings back toward greatness.
If Tiger falls short at Augusta, has anything really changed? We all know the guy’s a contender every week – but he’s not TIGER. Not the Tiger we knew. Not the killer instinct. Not the icy stare. Not the “I can will myself to victory” no matter what attitude. Not the fist pump and the swagger.
I’m still rooting for Tiger to catch Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors and then throw it in his rear view mirror. In my heart of hearts, I believe he’ll do it. But, next week is so huge. It’s the biggest moment in Tiger’s professional career since the wheels fell off in 2009.
In the spirit of Tin Cup’s Roy McAvoy, I’d call it a “defining moment.” The old Tiger would walk in and define the moment and make it his own. The new Tiger… well that’s what we’re all waiting to see….
I am sorry but toward greatness? He is already in that category.
He is right up there with the top 5 or so that have ever teed it up in this game. I believe he is the best player to ever live.
He could quit tomorrow and that comment is safe. He already is great.
I just got done reading the Big Miss. Everybody should read it.
I honestly don’t know how the man plays golf period. He is held to such a outrageous standard that nobody in golf has ever been held too, Jack included.
Please, let’s be realistic about what we are saying here.
He already is the best to ever play.
I don’t think Mouth is saying that Tiger is in danger of losing the “historic greatness” label if he doesn’t win next week – that’s forever assured.
But, if he wants his current play to be referred to as “greatness” (like it was prior to 2009), winning one full field event in 3 years isn’t going to cut it. Webb Simpson, Bubba Watson, or Keegan Bradley have all accomplished much more that Tiger in the last three years, but they are not considered “great” accomplishments. So Tiger needs to earn “greatness” in the present tense (the past tense in not debatable).
I understand what you’re saying about the unfair “Tiger” Standards that existed prior to 2009. It was unfair for Tiger to win 3 times in a year (no major) and be considered a “down year” since his expectations were so high. But the mediocrity of his play in the past 3 years is a fair comment considering the number of other players who accomplished more in that period.
Tiger is forever one of the greatest to play. No way would I ever try to dispute that. But the past three years — the play has not been “greatness.” My comment that the pendulum must swing back refers more to the current state than the overall picture.
The simple point is this… we may all believe that Tiger at his prime was the greatest. But unless he eclipses Jack — the point wont be able to be 100 percent supported. Tiger’s aging.. injuries are possibilities… if the pursuit of 18 and 19, etc. is what he truly covets — the pressure is on….
I understand. Let’s be fair though. he has been injuried or mired in scandel for the past three years.
Simpson, Watson and Bradley have done more than him in the past three years only because of the above reason.
If there was no injuries or scandel (His fault totally) We would not be mentioning these guys at all.
I am not sure he cares as much, I think we care more than him.
He is intense on the course but I think he is just playing golf now, while he is still healthy. I am not so sure he is concerned with it as much anymore.
I get what you are saying though.