Seeing Green
Sunday marked the first time Tiger Woods has won an official PGA tournament since the BMW in September of 2009, shortly before his scandal erupted and his world was forever changed. For a figure who was once so invincible even in the face of criticism, Tiger's image was infinitely affected as a result of the scandal. Supporters became detractors, TMZ established its own sports page and colleagues quickly theorized that Tiger would never see himself on top of a tournament ever again.
That is all over.
At the great Arnold Palmer's tournament at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida, Tiger fought off Graeme McDowell and ran away from the field for a 5 stroke victory. It was the largest stroke discrepancy between first and second place at a PGA tournament since Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open at Congressional last June. Tiger seemed to hit every tee shot with confidence, hit every putt with gusto and like he used to do in his heyday, ran away from the field when every other player seemed to struggle.
For all those detractors out there, Tiger has a hall of fame career at Bay Hill alone. He's won 7, count that 7 times there, more than any other player at one course in PGA history. That includes all time greats Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Bobby Jones and of course, tournament host Arnold Palmer. But enough of the past. Like Tiger always says, it's about the future. And what's in the future? The Masters.
Two weeks from now, the world's greatest will be convening at the most hollowed golf course known to man, Augusta National. Tiger, a 4 time winner there, is looking to put back on his first Green Jacket since 2005, the year of the infamous chip in on 16. Since then, Tiger has contended nearly every year, nearly winning last year despite it being his first tournament in months. This time around, Tiger will finally carry the momentum of having won a tournament heading into the Masters. When was the last time Tiger won the Masters after winning at Bay Hill? Coincidentally, it was the year of the Tiger Slam in 2001 where Tiger won all 4 majors in a calendar year concluding with his Masters win. Coincidence? I think not.
Golf, because of its individuality, is purely a game of momentum. It's about getting hot at the right time, making shots when you need to and riding that momentum week by week. Tiger has done that better than anybody over the past decade and perhaps better than anyone in PGA history. Are we jumping to conclusions? Maybe. But the golfing world hasn't been this excited for a Masters tournament since Tiger was reinventing the game as we knew it back in 2001. It's been a long time since people have talked about Tiger in that regard. Is it time to reignite that discussion? Based on what we saw this past week at Bay Hill, Tiger may very well be donning the hollowed Green Jacket in 2 weeks at Augusta and seeing green for the first time since 2005.
Stay tuned for the most publicized Masters in golf history and for the recreation of the Tiger Woods of old.
P.S. Just in case you forgot, this is what greatness looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt8ohsSVsws
If that's not enough, it sometimes looks like this too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nJfhUGM4Yc
Go ahead, try not to smile. Change is coming to the PGA tour, people. And it involves Tiger Woods.
That is all over.
At the great Arnold Palmer's tournament at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida, Tiger fought off Graeme McDowell and ran away from the field for a 5 stroke victory. It was the largest stroke discrepancy between first and second place at a PGA tournament since Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open at Congressional last June. Tiger seemed to hit every tee shot with confidence, hit every putt with gusto and like he used to do in his heyday, ran away from the field when every other player seemed to struggle.
For all those detractors out there, Tiger has a hall of fame career at Bay Hill alone. He's won 7, count that 7 times there, more than any other player at one course in PGA history. That includes all time greats Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Bobby Jones and of course, tournament host Arnold Palmer. But enough of the past. Like Tiger always says, it's about the future. And what's in the future? The Masters.
Two weeks from now, the world's greatest will be convening at the most hollowed golf course known to man, Augusta National. Tiger, a 4 time winner there, is looking to put back on his first Green Jacket since 2005, the year of the infamous chip in on 16. Since then, Tiger has contended nearly every year, nearly winning last year despite it being his first tournament in months. This time around, Tiger will finally carry the momentum of having won a tournament heading into the Masters. When was the last time Tiger won the Masters after winning at Bay Hill? Coincidentally, it was the year of the Tiger Slam in 2001 where Tiger won all 4 majors in a calendar year concluding with his Masters win. Coincidence? I think not.
Golf, because of its individuality, is purely a game of momentum. It's about getting hot at the right time, making shots when you need to and riding that momentum week by week. Tiger has done that better than anybody over the past decade and perhaps better than anyone in PGA history. Are we jumping to conclusions? Maybe. But the golfing world hasn't been this excited for a Masters tournament since Tiger was reinventing the game as we knew it back in 2001. It's been a long time since people have talked about Tiger in that regard. Is it time to reignite that discussion? Based on what we saw this past week at Bay Hill, Tiger may very well be donning the hollowed Green Jacket in 2 weeks at Augusta and seeing green for the first time since 2005.
Stay tuned for the most publicized Masters in golf history and for the recreation of the Tiger Woods of old.
P.S. Just in case you forgot, this is what greatness looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt8ohsSVsws
If that's not enough, it sometimes looks like this too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nJfhUGM4Yc
Go ahead, try not to smile. Change is coming to the PGA tour, people. And it involves Tiger Woods.
posted by Jared Dubro | 9:24 PM
|
0 Comments
